It was an emotional night at the Paycom Center as Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Nikola Topic made his long-awaited NBA debut after winning his battle against cancer. The 20-year-old Serbian guard entered the game against the Milwaukee Bucks to a loud standing ovation, creating one of the most inspiring moments of the season.
Although the Thunder lost the game 110-93, the night was about courage, resilience, and a young player’s journey back to the court.
A Long Road Back to the NBA
Topic was selected by Oklahoma City with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, but his professional journey has been full of challenges.
Before the draft, he suffered a torn ACL, which forced him to miss the entire 2024–25 season. Just as he was preparing for his return, another major setback came at the start of the 2025–26 preseason when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer.
Nikola Topić made his NBA debut four months after battling cancer 💙
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 13, 2026
What an amazing moment 👏 pic.twitter.com/MykN1LeraZ
He underwent surgery in October 2025, followed by chemotherapy. After completing treatment in December, Topic focused on rehabilitation and slowly returned to basketball activities. He recently played for the Oklahoma City Blue (G-League), where he showed positive signs with a solid performance before being called up to the main roster.
Nikola Topic NBA Debut – Match Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match | Milwaukee Bucks vs Oklahoma City Thunder |
| Date | February 12, 2026 |
| Result | Bucks won 110-93 |
| Minutes Played | 12 minutes |
| Points | 2 |
| Rebounds | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Highlight | First NBA assist on his opening play |
Topic entered the game late in the first quarter, and the entire arena stood to applaud his return. His first basket came in the second quarter on a mid-range jumper.
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Support From Fans and Team
The emotional reception showed how much the basketball community values Topic’s determination. Teammates and coaches praised his mental strength and positive attitude throughout his recovery process.
The Thunder organization had remained optimistic about his health, with team officials earlier stating that medical reports were very encouraging. His return just before the All-Star break added a special moment to the team’s season.
On social media, fans celebrated the comeback, with many calling his journey one of the most inspiring stories in the NBA this year.
Player Profile: Nikola Topic
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 |
| Nationality | Serbia |
| Position | Point Guard |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in |
| Draft | 2024 – 12th Overall Pick |
| Team | Oklahoma City Thunder |
Before entering the NBA, Topic built a strong reputation in European basketball as a skilled playmaker with excellent court vision and size for a guard.
While the result did not go in Oklahoma City’s favor, Topic’s debut was a victory in itself. His journey from injury and cancer treatment to stepping onto an NBA court reflects determination, patience, and strong support from the team and fans.
As he continues to regain form and confidence, the young guard is expected to grow into an important part of the Thunder’s future.
For now, his return stands as a powerful reminder that perseverance and belief can turn even the toughest challenges into inspiring success stories.
