Oklahoma City guard Nikola Topic has been removed from the injury report for Monday's game against the Suns. He had been listed as out with a back and torso issue.
What happened
Topic was cleared from the injury report at 3:32 p.m. ET on Monday, Oct. 26. The report's comment reads that Topic (back) is off the injury report for Monday's game versus the Suns. He had been listed as out with a back and torso issue. The report has moved him between day-to-day and out several times this month. He was first listed day-to-day on Oct. 16, moved to out on Oct. 19, back to day-to-day on Oct. 21, then out again the same day. Monday's removal ends that run. The report does not announce a game status beyond the removal.
What it means for the Thunder
Oklahoma City hosts the Suns at 8 p.m. ET tonight. The Thunder are 3-0, in third place in the standings and on a three-game winning streak. Topic has not played for them this season, so they are 0-0 with him and 3-0 without him. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the minutes at 35.6 a game and 27.7 points. Ajay Mitchell (24.5 minutes), Alex Caruso (22.2) and Jared McCain (20.3) have also carried guard minutes. The report still lists Thomas Sorber, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, Otega Oweh and Chet Holmgren as out. Wallace, Williams and Holmgren all figure in that rotation, so the minutes may shift again.
What to watch
Watch the Thunder's lineup at tipoff to see whether Topic dresses and how many minutes he gets. The next injury report will show whether his name stays off the list. The team has not announced a minutes plan or a role for him. Oklahoma City will also be tracking five other players who remain out, including Williams and Holmgren. Any change to those listings could reshape the rotation more than Topic's return.
Is Nikola Topic playing vs the Suns?
He is off the injury report for Monday's game against the Suns, which means he carries no listed status for tipoff at 8 p.m. ET. The team has not announced whether he will play or how many minutes he will get.
When will Nikola Topic be back?
He was removed from the injury report on Oct. 26, so he has no listed injury status for the Suns game. No minutes plan or further return timeline has been announced.