Nikola Topic, one of the prized prospects in the upcoming 2024 NBA Draft class, went down with a concerning injury during Game 1 of the AdmiralBet ABA League Finals.
Topic appeared to have suffered a non-contact injury on Monday that took the air out of Aleksandar Nikolic Hall in Belgrade, Serbia.
The Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet guard made a routine drive and flung a pass to the corner once he got near the rim. The 18-year-old Serbian crumpled to the floor along the baseline and stayed down for several minutes.
Topic had to be carried off the playing court by two security personnel. He exited the contest with two points and one assist in seven minutes of action.
Serbian Point Guard Nikola Topic', a consensus Top 5 draft pick and possible option for the Spurs at #4, suffered a non-contact knee injury in game 1 of the ABA League finals. Topic, 18 missed four months earlier this season with an injury to the same knee. video courtesy… pic.twitter.com/cWQVn2wKjD
— Don Harris (@DonHarris4) May 14, 2024
Topic had suffered an injury to the same knee in January that kept him sidelined for nearly three months.
Topic was at least able to return to the team’s bench to cheer on his squad after his trip to the locker room.
Crvena Zvezda held on without Topic for an 85-82 win over Partizan Mozzart Bet to take a 1-0 series lead in the best-of-5 championship round.
The 6’6″ guard was considered a consensus top-5 pick in June’s NBA draft before his latest injury. Concerns surrounding Topic’s knee could potentially affect his draft stock.
Topic wasn’t the only prospect who potentially hurt his draft stock on Monday.
