Nikola Topic: What Most People Get Wrong About His Thunder Return

The story of Nikola Topic and the OKC Thunder has become one of the most bizarre and emotionally taxing rollercoasters in recent NBA history. Honestly, it’s hard to wrap your head around. One minute, you’re looking at a 6-foot-6 Serbian passing wizard who many experts thought was a top-five talent in the 2024 draft. The next? He’s the guy who won an NBA championship ring in 2025 without ever stepping on the court.

And then, just when it seemed like his "real" rookie season was finally arriving, life threw a haymaker that had nothing to do with basketball.

The Reality of the Nikola Topic Medical Journey

Most fans know Topic missed his entire first year because of a partially torn ACL suffered back in Europe with Crvena Zvezda. That was the "plan." Sam Presti and the Thunder are famous for their "redshirt" years—they did it with Chet Holmgren, and it worked out beautifully. But October 2025 changed everything.

What started as a vague "testicular procedure" quickly turned into a diagnosis of testicular cancer.

It’s the kind of news that makes a box score feel completely irrelevant. Topic, who had just turned 20, had to step away from a team that was already defending a championship to start chemotherapy. But here is where the story gets interesting for 2026. As of mid-January, his agent, Misko Raznatovic, confirmed that Topic has officially finished his chemotherapy treatments.

You’ve probably seen the videos circulating on Instagram. He’s back at the Paycom Center. He’s moving. He’s shooting.

Why the "Draft Steal" Label Still Matters

There’s a reason Presti didn't blink when Topic slid to number 12 in the draft. Before the knee issues, Topic was averaging 18.6 points and nearly 7 assists in the Adriatic League. He wasn't just playing against kids; he was carving up grown men in one of the most physical leagues in the world.

He plays like a veteran who has been in the league for a decade. His pace is weirdly slow but unstoppable, sort of like a taller Goran Dragic or a more ground-bound Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. In his lone preseason appearance against the Charlotte Hornets back in October—before the diagnosis—he put up 10 points and 7 assists in 31 minutes.

It looked easy.

The vision he showed in those 31 minutes is exactly why the Thunder are so patient. Even with Shai, Jalen Williams, and Ajay Mitchell (who has been a revelation this season), the Thunder crave that specific type of connector.

What Most People Get Wrong About the Timeline

The biggest misconception right now is that Topic is going to suit up the second the doctors give him a thumbs up. That’s just not how Oklahoma City operates.

1. Physical Atrophy: Chemotherapy is brutal. Coach Mark Daigneault has been vocal about the "hell" Topic’s body has gone through. Even if the cancer is in remission, the muscle loss and cardiovascular toll are massive for a professional athlete.
2. The G-League Ramp: Expect a long stint with the OKC Blue. He needs to feel his lungs burn and his knee stabilize in a low-stakes environment.
3. The Logjam: The Thunder are currently sitting at 31-7. They are a wagon. There is zero pressure to rush a 20-year-old into a high-pressure rotation during a title defense.

Actually, the fact that the Thunder are so good is the best thing for Topic. He can take until March or even next October if he needs to.

The Nene Hilario Precedent

If you’re looking for a reason to be optimistic, look at Nene. Back in 2008, the Nuggets big man dealt with the exact same diagnosis. He missed some time, finished his treatment, and came back to play another decade of high-level basketball.

Topic’s doctors have been "extremely positive" about his long-term outlook. This isn't just "PR talk" from the team; testicular cancer, when caught early as it was during his biopsy at MD Anderson in Houston, has an incredibly high recovery rate.

Moving Forward with Topic and the Thunder

So, what should you actually expect?

Don't look for Topic to be the savior of the second unit in the 2026 playoffs. If he gets minutes, it’ll be a bonus. The real goal is 2026-27. By then, he’ll have a fully healed ACL, a body recovered from treatment, and two years of "mental reps" inside the most sophisticated developmental system in sports.

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If you're following this closely, keep your eyes on the practice reports. The jump from "individual shooting" to "3-on-3 contact" is the final hurdle. Once he hits that, the Serbian Prodigy is officially back.

Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts

• Watch the OKC Blue Box Scores: If Topic is going to return this season, it will start with a "rehab assignment" in the G-League. This is the first real indicator of a return.
• Monitor the Injury Report: Look for the transition from "Out - Medical" to "Questionable - Return to Competition Reconditioning." That’s the terminology the Thunder usually use.
• Temper Expectations: Even when he returns, he is essentially a rookie who hasn't played competitive 5-on-5 in almost two years. The passing will be there, but the shooting and defensive timing will take months to catch up.