Nikola Topic, a top-five pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, injured his knee in Game 1 of the ABA League Finals.
Strong points
- Nikola Topic suffered a non-contact knee injury during the ABA League Finals, missing the remainder of the games.
- An injury could impact Topic’s draft due to concerns over his left knee.
- Topic, a projected top-five pick, is considered the best point guard in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Nikola Topic played just six minutes in the first game of the ABA League Final between Red Star and Partizan Mozzart before leaving the match after suffering a non-contact left knee injury. The projected top five for the next NBA Draft was driving to the basket late in the third quarter before suffering a rough landing. After a rough landing, Topic was unable to get up and was helped off the field by medical staff.
Topic underwent an MRI Tuesday morning that showed he had a sprained left knee. It’s the same knee that the 20-year-old injured in January and kept him off the basketball court for more than four months.
Topic will miss the remaining ABA League Finals games. He is expected to fully participate in workouts in June ahead of the 2024 NBA Draft.
What this means for the subject’s draft stock
With this injury, Topic could fall in the upcoming NBA draft
Before the injury, Nikola Topic was should be taken in the top five of the next NBA draft. Most mock drafts have him selected anywhere between the second and seventh picks.
|
Nikola Topic Stats – Adriatic and EuroLeague |
|
|---|---|
|
Category |
Statistical |
|
g |
28 |
|
PPG |
10.2 |
|
AST |
4.1 |
|
STL |
0.6 |
|
FG% |
49.5% |
|
3PT% |
24.7% |
|
Size weight |
6-6/201lbs |
As this is the second injury to his left knee, he could end up falling outside the top five if teams are concerned about his injury history. His first knee injury kept him out for more than four months and he only played 28 games this season between the Adriatic and the EuroLeague. In his three appearances after returning to Red Star, he averaged 5.3 points, 3.3 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 16 minutes per game.
Why the topic should always be in the top 5
Topic is the best point guard in the 2024 NBA draft
The 6-6 point guard has the skills to be the point guard of the future for many NBA teams. He has already made comparisons with Tony Parker. While he’s not the best shooter or defender, he’s useful in both areas and teams are hoping he can develop in those areas. He is an excellent passer and good at getting to the basket.
If Topic is able to improve his shooting and defense, whoever picks him in the draft will be ready for now and the future. Potential teams that could go after him include the Wizards of Washington And San Antonio Spursboth teams are looking for their leader of the future.
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