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PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder gestures during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on November 12, 2023 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)
The Oklahoma City Thunder got an update that could turn Thursday night into a moment fans have been waiting months to see: rookie guard Nikola Topić has been upgraded to available and can make his NBA debut against the visiting Milwaukee Bucks, if coach Mark Daigneault decides the time is right.
Nikola Topic could check in for 30 seconds of garbage time and put up zero stats tonight and it would still be an unbelievable accomplishment.
There’s a catch, though, and it matters for both the rotation and the stakes of the night: OKC has ruled out Jalen Williams with a right hamstring strain after he re-aggravated the issue just two games into his comeback.
Topić’s story is bigger than a normal “rookie available” update. The 20-year-old first-round pick was diagnosed with testicular cancer earlier this season and began treatment, delaying the start of his year.
The Thunder have upgraded Nikola Topić to available to make his NBA debut tonight against visiting Milwaukee if Mark Daigneault wants to throw him in … but Oklahoma City has ruled out Jalen Williams just two games into his comeback from a persistent hamstring issue.
Nikola Topić upgraded to “available” — what that actually means for OKC tonight
“Available” is not the same thing as “definitely playing,” and that’s where Daigneault’s decision becomes the news peg.
Topić is OKC’s 2024 first-round pick (No. 12 overall), a 6-foot-6 playmaking guard the Thunder have been developing carefully. But the bigger piece is the comeback: after his cancer diagnosis and treatment, Topić recently returned to game action with OKC’s G League affiliate, a key step before the team even considers throwing him into an NBA rotation spot.
In his second G-League game on Feb. 10, he scored 22 points in 19 minutes, while adding 2 rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block.
From a practical standpoint, if Daigneault uses him, expect one of two paths:
Spot minutes as a secondary ballhandler (short first-half stint, quick hook if needed)
“Break glass” usage if OKC needs another creator because of the wing absences
Jalen Williams ruled out again: why it changes the Thunder’s plan vs. Milwaukee
Oklahoma City listed Williams out with a right hamstring strain, and multiple reports note it was a re-aggravation after his return. That’s a big deal because Williams isn’t just “a starter.” He’s one of OKC’s most important two-way wings, a key connector in their offense and a major piece defensively.
This changes a few things tonight.
More creation pressure shifts onto OKC’s other guards, especially considering Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will also be out until after the All-Star break.
More wing minutes get redistributed (Lu Dort + bench wings), and OKC may need more ballhandling to keep the offense organized
And importantly: early reporting indicates Williams could be reevaluated after the All-Star break, which gives fans a timeline anchor and helps explain why OKC won’t rush him.
Why Topić’s possible debut is more than “a nice moment”
Topić making it to this point is a legitimate milestone: he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, began treatment, then worked his way back to playing in games. including a recent G League debut that served as a ramp-up step.
OKC’s injuries and Topic’s availability make this a big moment for the defending NBA champions:
The moment: Topić is available tonight
The pressure: OKC is down Williams again, so the rotation is in flux
The decision: Daigneault has to choose whether this is the right night to open the door
How to watch Bucks vs. Thunder tonight (Feb. 12): time, TV, and streaming
Matchup: Milwaukee Bucks at Oklahoma City Thunder
Tip time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Where: Paycom Center (Oklahoma City)
TV/stream: Amazon Prime Video (plus local coverage in-market)
Erik Anderson is an award-winning sports journalist covering the NBA, MLB and NFL for Heavy.com. He also focuses on the trading card market. His work has appeared in nationally-recognized outlets including The New York Times, Associated Press , USA Today, and ESPN. More about Erik Anderson
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