Nikola Topic was cleared on the Thunder's injury report Monday afternoon, moving off Out. Oklahoma City hosts the Suns at 8:00 PM ET with four other players listed out.
What happened
The Thunder upgraded guard Nikola Topic from Out to Cleared on the injury report at 2:47 PM ET Monday. The report gave no detail and no comment, and no return date was announced. Topic, 21, had been dealing with a back and torso issue. He was Day-To-Day on Friday, Oct. 16, and Out on Monday, Oct. 19. On Wednesday, Oct. 21, his status changed twice between Day-To-Day and Out. He had stayed Out until today's update.
What it means for the Thunder
Topic could be available tonight against the Suns at 8:00 PM ET. Oklahoma City is 3-0 and holds the third seed, on a three-game winning streak. Those wins came without him, so there is no record with him this season, and no season line for him is available. His role and minutes are not announced. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has averaged 35.6 minutes and 27.7 points in those games. Ajay Mitchell (24.5 minutes), Isaiah Hartenstein (22.4), Alex Caruso (22.2) and Jared McCain (20.3) have also played big roles. Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Otega Oweh and Chet Holmgren are all listed out, so guard minutes may open up.
What to watch
Watch the Thunder's lineup before tip-off tonight against the Suns at 8:00 PM ET to see whether Topic plays and how much. The next injury report will show whether the Cleared status holds. Given his history this month, any change to his back or torso would show up there first. Wallace, Williams, Oweh and Holmgren remain out, and no return dates for them are announced.
Is Nikola Topic playing vs the Suns?
He is cleared on the injury report as of 2:47 PM ET Monday, up from Out. The Thunder host the Suns at 8:00 PM ET. His role and minutes are not announced.
When will Nikola Topic be back?
He has been cleared, so he is available as of Monday's report. The report gave no detail or comment, and no expected return date is announced.