By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Topic is likely to join the Oklahoma City Thunder for the 2025-26 season. From the top of the 2024-25 season, the 19-year-old Serbian point guard has been limited to rehab following surgery on a torn ACL in his left knee.
Echoing an update on Topic shared by Luguentz Dort, the head coach of the Thunder, Mark Daigneault, recently talked about being impressed by the young upstart.
“In terms of what he’s doing right now, he’s still X amount of time post-op,” he said, relays The Oklahoman, “He’s still return-to-performance. I don’t think he’s the player right now that he will be in training camp.”
“The thing that’s most impressive about him to see is he’s incredibly young, he’s stateside for the first time, in the NBA for the first time, coming off a long-term injury and he’s been unbelievably consistent and mature and professional in his approach,” added the 40-year-old American coach, “When you watch somebody go through that, you can learn a lot about them.”
Entering the offseason, after the 2025 NBA Playoffs presented by YouTube TV, the Thunder will consider whether Topic can potentially play in the approaching Summer League and from there, if he can become available in the 2025-26 Regular Season.
“Inserted himself into the mix in a very appropriate way,” noted Daigneault, “The guys really respect the way that he approaches things. He’s an old soul. He’s way beyond his years, and so that bodes really well for him, regardless where he starts as a player on the court. That stuff translates, and he’s been very impressive with that.”
Up 3-2 against the Indiana Pacers, Game 6 of the Finals is scheduled to take place in Gainbridge Fieldhouse on Friday. If necessary, Game 7 will be played in Paycom Center on Sunday.
2025 NBA Playoffs presented by Google
Conference Quarterfinals (best of seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Miami Heat 4-0 (121-100, 121-112, 124-87, 138-83)
Boston Celtics – Orlando Magic 4-1 (103-86, 109-100, 93-95, 107-98, 120-89)
New York Knicks – Detroit Pistons 4-2 (123-112, 94-100, 118-116, 94-93, 103-106, 116-113)
Indiana Pacers – Milwaukee Bucks 4-1 (117-98, 123-115, 101-117, 129-103, 119-118)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Memphis Grizzlies 4-0 (131-80, 118-99, 114-108, 117-115)
Houston Rockets – Golden State Warriors 3-4 (85-95, 109-94, 93-104, 106-109, 131-116, 115-107, 89-103)
Los Angeles Lakers – Minnesota Timberwolves 1-4 (95-117, 94-85, 104-116, 113-116, 96-103)
Denver Nuggets – Los Angeles Clippers 4-3 (112-110, 102-105, 83-117, 101-99, 131-115, 105-111, 120-101)
Conference Semifinals (best of seven)
East
Cleveland Cavaliers – Indiana Pacers 1-4 (112-121, 119-120, 126-104, 109-129, 105-114)
Boston Celtics – New York Knicks 2-4 (105-108, 90-91, 115-93, 113-121, 127-102, 81-119)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Denver Nuggets 4-3 (119-121, 149-106, 104-113, 92-87, 112-105, 107-119, 125-93)
Minnesota Timberwolves – Golden State Warriors 4-1 (88-99, 117-93, 102-97, 117-110, 121-110)
Conference Finals (best of seven)
East
New York Knicks – Indiana Pacers 2-4 (135-138, 109-114, 106-100, 121-130, 111-94, 108-125)
West
Oklahoma City Thunder – Minnesota Timberwolves 4-1 (114-88, 118-103, 101-143, 128-126, 124-94)
NBA Finals (best of seven)
Oklahoma City Thunder – Indiana Pacers 3-2 (110-111, 123-107, 107-116, 111-104, 120-109)