Another product of Serbian basketball and Denver Nuggets Star Nikola Jokic discussed Nikola Topic’s debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder before Friday’s game at the Paycom Center. Topic covered for the first time by the media since his testicular cancer diagnosis last week. Jokic was excited to see Nikola begin his NBA career after such a scary setback.
Jokic discussed the topic recent return with the Thunder, according to DNVR Nuggets.
“Of course, I played a little bit with him when he was with the national team. He’s a really good guy, really talented,” Jokic said. “He is the future of Serbian basketball. He is fighting against something that is probably more important – the most important – and he won it.”
Nikola Jokić on Nikola Topić:
“He is the future of Serbian basketball.”
“He’s fighting something that’s probably more important – the most important – and he won it.” pic.twitter.com/EZyDAQcusL
– DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 26, 2026
Jokic calls Topic the future of Serbian basketball is a telling compliment considering the Thunder rookie’s career is only just beginning. He also got off to an impressive start, helping the Thunder close out wins over the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavs in the absence of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After missing the previous nine games, SGA will return for Friday’s showdown against the Nuggets.
The defending champions went 5-4 without Gilgeous-Alexander. Topic averaged 3.2 points on 43.8% shooting, including 40% from deep, 2.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 10.6 minutes in five games for the Thunder.
Thunder assigns Nikola Topic to G League amid SGA return
The Thunder assigned Nikola Topic to join the Blue, their G League affiliate, on Friday. With Shai Gilgeous-Alexander returning after missing the last nine games, the Thunder decided Topic’s time would be better suited to getting more reps with the Blues.
The Thunder’s G League affiliate is in the middle of a four-game home stand at Paycom Center. The Thunder will embark on a three-game road trip following Friday’s game against the Nuggets.
