Sorber Injury Puts Bigger Spotlight on Nikola Topic

Thomas Sorber‘s torn ACL is unfortunate news for OKC, but it also opens up a bigger run for Nikola Topic in his rookie season. Topic, who also happened to redshirt his first year with the team, is set to make his debut this time. With Sorber temporarily out of the way, Topic steps in as the prime rookie that they would develop.

News of Thomas Sorber’s ACL injury proved to be a massive blow for the Thunder. After all, the Georgetown product looked like a steal for the Thunder in the 2025 NBA Draft. It also puts another Oklahoma City rookie on redshirt status for three of the last four years. While it may seem bleak, it also means that the rotation will see some changes in the long run.

Sorber Injury Puts Bigger Spotlight on Nikola Topic

Let’s face the harsh reality of the NBA. There’s always going to be another player to replace you. That coincidentally fares well with the Thunder’s “next man up” mentality over the years. However, this is a big chance that Topic needs to make the most of if he’s going to be a permanent part of the rotation.

Big Season Ahead for Nikola Topic

OKC swept in and gambled with their pick when they selected Topic last year. The Serbian guard was injured before the draft, diminishing his stock falling by the time draft night arrived. So far, the guard has already won a title without playing a single game. He made his Summer League debut this year, and his games showed flashes of potential. If anything, OKC fans should be expecting a lot from his development heading into the season.

Selected with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, Topic brings a lot to the table for the Thunder. We’re starting with the fact that he’s a playmaker in his own right—having a little bit of Josh Giddey flair in his passing skills. He’s also looking like a great three-point shooter—something that the team needs badly. With a whole season ahead of him, it does seem that Topic is going to take over a lot of Sorber’s potential minutes.

On a team that has a focus on diverse talent and skillsets, Topic blends well. He’s certainly yet to discover what he can add to his skills, and there’s a lot of hope that he would be learning more from his peers in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams to begin with.

Redshirting For the Third Time

This marks the third time that the Thunder had a player redshirt his first year with the team. Chet Holmgren did not play in 2022, getting injured in a Pro-Am league. Nikola Topic was healing his ACL tear even before joining the Thunder. Now, Sorber is facing the same but somewhat optimistic dilemma. Both rookies with redshirt seasons would go on to win the 2025 championship.

Nikola Topic is already an NBA champion without playing a single game. Sorber could simply bide for the same time that Topic had in his first year to hone his craft and develop his talent further. Holmgren is still developing his talent and getting ready for a star season. So if there’s one thing that the Sorber injury offers for OKC, it’s that Topic gets more time in his rookie year, and Oklahoma City can get the big man to adjust to the squad better.

Nikola Topic Needs to Make the Most of this Season

For Topic, the 2025-26 season is going to be a year of proving his worth. While Sorber’s absence only dampens the power forward/center rotation, Topic is going to earn a lot of time running with OKC’s guards. After all, the Thunder have a crowded backcourt, and he could be battling for minutes in every single game.

Now more than ever, Nikola Topic is getting a boost for his rookie season. This is a chance he should not pass up. The Thunder rotation is so deep that one could even be on the trade block by February. Coincidentally, it also means that Topic would have more time to build his case for Rookie of the Year this coming season.