Fellow Serbian basketball product and Denver Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic discusses Nikola Topic's debut with the Oklahoma City Thunder ahead of Friday's matchup at Paycom Center. Topic addressed the media for the first time since being diagnosed with testicular cancer last week. Jokic was thrilled to see Nikola begin his NBA career after such a scary setback.
jokic discussed the topic recent return With the Thunder, according to DNVR Nuggets.
Jokic said, "Of course, I played with him a little bit when he was with the national team. He's a really good guy – really talented." "He is the future of Serbian basketball. He is fighting for something that is probably more important – the most important – and he won it."
Nikola Jokic on Nikola Topic:
"He is the future of Serbian basketball."
"He's fighting something that's probably more important – most important – and he won it." pic.twitter.com/EZyDAQcusL
- DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) 26 February 2026
Joc calling Topic the future of Serbian basketball is an eye-opening compliment, considering the Thunder rookie's career is just getting started. He has also made impressive starts in leading the Thunder to wins against the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavs amid the absence of All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. After losing their last nine games, SGA will look to bounce back for Friday's contest against the Nuggets.
The defending champions fell to 5-4 without Gilgeous-Alexander. Topic averaged 3.2 points on 43.8% shooting, including 40% from deep, 2.0 assists, 1.6 rebounds and 10.6 minutes in five games for the Thunder.
Thunder appoint Nikola Topic to G League amid SGA withdrawal
The Thunder signed Nikola Topic on Friday to join their G League affiliate, the Blue. After Shai Gilgeous-Alexander missed the last nine games, the Thunder decided Topic's time would be better suited to getting more reps with the Blue.
The Thunder's G League affiliate is in the midst of a four-game home stand at Paycom Center. Following Friday's matchup against the Nuggets, the Thunder will embark on a three-game road trip.
