Nikola Topić, Ajay Mitchell shine for OKC Thunder in NBA Summer League loss vs Grizzlies
Sam Presti, still ready to temper expectations, underlined the need to give Nikola Topić “a certain grace” before his first real basketball match in more than a year.
However, the director general of Thunder declared during his intersection press conference that Topić had “made great progress” since the selection of the Serbian Guard 12th in the general classification of the NBA 2024.
Five days after these comments, it was quite easy to see what he was talking about, because Topić finally made his debut at Thunder on Saturday during a defeat of 92-80 against the Grizzlies of Memphis at the opening of the NBA summer league in Salt Lake City.
Topić, about 14 months withdrawn from the suffering of an ACL partially torn in its left knee, showed enough flashes to know why it was a choice of lottery. He separated the crossing channels for a pair of flights. He initiated the offense, creating looks for his teammates en route to four assists. He made a few 3 points pressures, as much as they can exist in the summer league, while finishing with 14 points.
However, there is a lot of room to grow. Topić committed seven of the 23 Thunder reversals.
Overall, this is not a bad start for someone who entered the NBA in the NBA by zero minutes but a championship parade.
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Nikola Topić … so cunning to arrive at the edge 💪#Nbasummer Action on espnu pic.twitter.com/dhoonc1wt
– NBA (@nba) July 5, 2025
Nikola Topić Stats for Thunder vs Grizzlies during the start of the summer league
- Points: 14
- Rebounds:1
- Help:4
- Flights:2
- Minutes:25:59
- Goal shot in the field: 6 for 11 (54.5%)
- 3 -point shot: 2 for 4 (50.0%)
- Frank launch shooting:0-0
Ajay Mitchell’s offensive vision exposed
Yes, it is only the summer league, but Ajay Mitchell continues to show why it was such a flight in last year’s draft at each extended race he obtains.
And it’s not like Mitchell was running against a bunch of future insurance agents with Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson on the ground for grizzly ones.
The old second round choice presented its ability to create shots for itself and the others, leading the Thunder with 24 points (on the shot of 10 for 18) and six assists in 27 minutes.
The 6 -foot 5 -inch guard from UC Santa Barbara was limited to only 36 games thanks to an injury to the toes, giving up a recruited season of the potential NBA. Mitchell collected an average of 6.5 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game.
Presti rewarded the former double -meaning player with a $ 9 million contract over three years on June 29. It could end up being a good deal for a rotation player on a contender for the title.
Take advantage of looking at Mitchell in the summer league while you can.
Brooks Barnhizer, guy-brief
Speaking of draft choice in the second round, Brooks Barnhizer could be able to carve out a role as guys from it.
The 6-foot-6-inch striker tried to trigger a late rally with his diving flight and his dead time with 4:36 to play in the match and OKC drops 82-70. The Thunder could not capitalize on turnover, but it is the type of game to take a mental note for on the road.
Barnhizer had nine points and 13 – THIRTEEN – Rebounds in his first match since reacting his foot injury on January 29 playing for Northwestern.
Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson back in pre-blue form for Grizzlies
GG Jackson did the second Recruit team from the All-NBA two years ago, but he saw steep drops in all his counting statistics last season, because a foot injury limited only 29 games.
The former Southern Carolina striker may have the best show on Saturday – apart from Ajay Mitchell from OKC – marking 20 points on the 8th for 15.
Memphis striker, Jaylen Wells, also scored 20 points (on shooting 5 for 14) during his first return match after a frightening fall in April during which he broke his wrist.
Next for thunder
William & Mary’s former standout, Daniel Dixon, who trains the Thunder team at Salt Lake City, will direct OKC against the 76ers of Philadelphia in match 2 of a three -game stay in UTAH at 6 p.m. Monday (ESPN).
Jeff Patterson is the Oklahoman sports editor. Do you have a story idea for Jeff? It can be attached to jpatterson@oklahoman.com or on X / Twitter at @jeffpattokc. Support Jeff’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by buying a Digital subscription today on subscription.oklahoman.com.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Nikola Topić returns from the ACL injury for Thunder in the NBA Summer League
