Thunder receive encouraging Nikola Topic update following chemotherapy originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Oklahoma City Thunder have looked shaky as of late, after dominating to start the year.
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The Thunder have lost two of their last three and just squeaked by in their last game, coming back to defeat the Utah Jazz (12-24) in overtime.
Ahead of their next matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies Friday, the team received some encouraging news.
According to Misko Raznatovic (the agent of Nikola Topic), Topic has completed chemotherapy following his diagnosis of testicular cancer and is returning to training with the Thunder.
Topic, still only 20-years-old was selected 12th overall in the 2024 NBA Draft but missed his entire rookie season due to an ACL tear. Following that injury, just as Topic was set to return, he was diagnosed with cancer.
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Having now completed chemotherapy, Topic can return to training in hopes of making his NBA debut.
That said, a timetable for his return has not yet been released. As the Thunder continue to battle in the Western Conference, it wouldn’t be out of the question for Topic to be assigned to the Oklahoma City Blue (OKC’s G-League affiliate) in order to work toward a return.
Although Oklahoma City’s roster is one of the deepest in the league, the Thunder have to be excited to see what added success Topic can bring.
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In the meantime, pressure will remain on Oklahoma City to continue winning as they hope to hold off other teams in pursuit of the No.1 seed in the Western Conference.