When is Nikola Topić coming back? Oklahoma city thunder guard makes inspiring return to training after courageous cancer battle

Guard Nikola Topić of the Oklahoma City Thunder worked out on the court on Thursday before the squad hosted the Los Angeles Clippers at the Paycom Centre. On October 30, Thunder general manager Sam Presti said that Topic had been diagnosed with testicular cancer following a biopsy at the MD Anderson Cancer Centre in Houston, Texas.

Now, his manager just revealed that Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic is returning to the team's training regimen following a devastating setback in which he was diagnosed with testicular cancer after recovering from an ACL injury.

Nikola Topić completes chemotherapy and begins road back to full basketball training

Topic has successfully finished chemotherapy and is currently returning to training, according to his agent, Misko Raznatovic. He informed in an X post:

“After a terrifying setback, being diagnosed with testicular cancer following his comeback from an ACL injury, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic is returning to the team’s training process…”

Raznatovic said in an interview with TV Arena Sport:

"The chemotherapy has been successfully completed, and he is now returning to the training process, although he remained active even during the therapy. It’s difficult to specify a timeframe, but I sincerely hope that this year he will get minutes not only in the G League but also on NBA courts, if everything goes as it currently appears."




After overcoming these obstacles, the agent thinks Topic will return even stronger. He said:

"Illness is difficult for anyone, and especially when it happens unexpectedly to someone who is only 20 years old and has already missed the previous season due to a knee injury. Nikola has endured all of this and is on the path to recovery.”

Raznatovic added:

"If he stays healthy, and I believe he will, everything that has happened in the past two years will only strengthen his character. If he has managed to overcome these two obstacles, nothing will be difficult or unattainable for him in the future.”

Since learning of the biopsy results, he has been taking chemotherapy. While undergoing treatment for his disease, which is among the most curable types in men, Topić has continued to train and work out at the team practice facilities. According to Clemente Almanza of The Thunder Wire, he was observed exercising with other teammates during the practice.

Nikola Topić missed his rookie NBA season with an ACL injury

Despite being chosen No. 12 overall in the NBA Draft the previous year, Topic has not yet made his NBA debut. He had an ACL tear that kept him out of the 2024–2025 season. After playing for Crvena Zvezda in the ABA League, Topić was selected as the 12th choice in the 2024 NBA draft.

After having surgery to fix a ruptured left ACL he sustained while competing in the ABA League Finals in May 2024, he missed the entire previous season. In July, the 20-year-old Serbian made his summer league debut with the Thunder, averaging 10.8 points, 5.8 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.8 steals in six games.

On October 5, he made one preseason appearance and finished with 10 points, seven assists, and four rebounds.


Also read: NBA injury report: Uncertain Kristaps Porzingis absence raises concern ahead of Atlanta Hawks vs Oklahoma City Thunder clash