Nikola Topic debuts with Oklahoma City Thunder after overcoming testicular cancer

Nikola Topic lived a special night this Thursday by playing his first game in the NBA with the Oklahoma City Thunder and scoring his first points, thus culminating a long recovery process after being treated for testicular cancer.

The Serbian guard, selected 12th in the 2024 Draft, had been unable to debut last season due to a knee injury sustained before the Draft. This season, he had not played either after being diagnosed with cancer during the preseason. In October, he underwent a medical procedure and then started chemotherapy treatment before beginning his physical recovery to return to the court.

Topic entered the game against the Milwaukee Bucks late in the first quarter and received a resounding ovation from the crowd. His only points came at the start of the second quarter, with a jump shot from near the free-throw line. He finished the game with two points, one rebound, and one assist in the 110-93 loss.

The coach of the Thunder, Mark Daigneault, highlighted the importance of the moment: he was happy for the player and emphasized that Topic had faced a lot of adversity in recent years. He pointed out that Topic is a young man who just wants to play basketball and has been unable to do so on several occasions, so getting back on the court represents a great achievement for both him and his family and the team.

In OKC, happy with the return

Daigneault also stressed that the guard is still in the early stages of his return to full competitive form. He explained that it was a specific opportunity for him to get minutes with the team, without high expectations in terms of performance, and emphasized that the most important thing is that he has begun the journey back.

Before his NBA debut, Topic played a game with the G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, where he recorded seven points and seven assists in 16 minutes during the 137-135 overtime victory against the Sioux Falls Skyforce. That performance was the preamble to a night that marked the official start of his career in the league.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Nikola Topic debuta con Oklahoma City Thunder tras superar un cáncer testicular