Thunder injuries: Will Nikola Topic, Thomas Sorber, Brooks Barnhizer play Summer League?
Fresh off an NBA championship, the Oklahoma City Thunder will experience some serious whiplash. Less than a month separates the 2025 NBA Finals and the start of the 2025 Summer League. Let's say the consequences of both environments are opposites.
All intrigue revolves around the Thunder's injury statuses. They drafted Thomas Sorber with the No. 12 pick and Brooks Barnhizer with the No. 44 pick. Both suffered season-ending foot injuries in their final college seasons. Sorber had surgery in February, while Barnhizer was ruled out in the same month.
Nikola Topic is also another name to watch. The 19-year-old missed his first season after he suffered a partially torn ACL in May 2024. That dropped his draft status to the 2024 NBA draft No. 12 pick, which the Thunder cashed in on to take him.
After being out for over a year, most assume Topic will play at least some of the Thunder's Summer League. He attended Sorber's and Barnhizer's introductory press conference. Here's an injury update on all three players:
Nikola Topic
Mark Daigneault declined to comment on Topic's status. Instead, Thunder PR said they will release the Summer League roster at a later date. That should tell us whether or not the 19-year-old will finally make his OKC debut.
Thomas Sorber
Sorber said the Thunder will take his injury day-to-day. He also kept his status close to the vest. The 19-year-old suffered turf toe that caused him to undergo surgery.
Brooks Barnhizer
This was the only confirmation. Barnhizer had a foot injury that ended his collegiate season in February. He said he's good to go and will play in Summer League. He knocked off any rust in his 16 predraft workouts. He also mentioned that the Thunder were his first workout and that stuck with him throughout the other 15.
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