The Oklahoma City Thunder announced that Nikola Topic underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL. The procedure was conducted in Los Angeles. The 18-year-old is expected to miss the 2024-25 season.
This was inevitable once Topic suffered a knee injury in May 2024. After being viewed as a top prospect, his injury was likely the reason he slid down to the No. 12 spot in the 2024 NBA draft.
Topic has an upside as a prospect with his feel and passing. He must work on his shooting though as that was seen as the biggest area of improvement during the predraft process.
Once healthy, Topic will have a chance to be a starter next season. He can also be a backup facilitator. The Thunder can afford the swing and have a successful history with redshirt rookies like Chet Holmgren.
This article originally appeared on OKC Thunder Wire: Thunder’s Nikola Topic undergoes surgery for torn ACL