By admin 
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing what the team called a minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy procedure.
Read more Swiss reject population cap in referendum, avoiding EU clash
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the surgery repairs a bulging disk in the lower back. Dr. Andrew Dossett performed the procedure at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas with Thunder medical personnel on hand.
The Thunder selected the 6-foot-6 point guard with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Serbia, but he has had a difficult start to his career.
Read more Protesters smash windows and set Tesla ablaze in anti-G7 march in Geneva
He missed his rookie season due to a pre-draft knee injury. In the preseason ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent treatment.
Topic, 20, returned to play 10 games for the Thunder last season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. In limited opportunities, he shot 40.0% (9-for-15) from 3-point range.
Read more Canadian Prime Minister Carney visits grandparents’ Irish village on eve of G7
He is not expected to play in the NBA summer league in July.
–Field Level Media
Copyright 2026 Field Level Media. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 14, 2026 at 8:55 AM.