While both franchises have never won an NBA title, it\u2019s a perfect David vs Goliath story as the Pacers are massive underdogs to win it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n After all, the Thunder were head and shoulders above their competition<\/a> during the regular season and are home to a phenomenal roster. Well, that roster is about to get better for the 2025-26 season with Nikola Topic\u2019s addition.<\/p>\n Right now, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander<\/a> is undoubtedly the best player on the Thunder. However, the likes of Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso, Luguentz Dort, and more elite supporting players<\/a> are what make OKC a truly dominant team.<\/p>\n Although the 2025 NBA Finals are right around the corner, star forward Lu Dort<\/a> recently decided to issue a warning to the league about Topic.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s been doing a lot of his recovery stuff but you can see the talent and how much more comfortable with the ball,\u201d Dort said, via Clemente Almanza on X<\/a>.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cRecently, he started playing with us and be a little more active with us. He\u2019s still getting back from his injury but I can see just how comfortable with the ball and the type of player he\u2019s going to be.\u201d<\/p>\n Although Topic is yet to play a single game in his NBA career, the way Dort hyped him up is something that should send chills down the spines of the rest of the league.<\/p>\n Nikola Topic\u2019s injury<\/p>\n The Thunder drafted Topic using the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. Being a 6\u20196 point guard, many had great expectations from the 19-year-old in his rookie year.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, Topic was sidelined for the entire 2024-25 NBA season after suffering a torn ACL injury in May 2024.<\/p>\n![\"2024](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nba\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/GettyImages-2158855254-941x627.jpg\")
Photo by Lev Radin\/Anadolu via Getty ImagesLu Dort on Nikola Topic<\/p>\n