OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Nikola Topic made his NBA debut Thursday night for the Oklahoma City Thunder and scored his first points after undergoing treatment for testicular cancer.
The Serbian guard was the 12th pick in the 2024 NBA draft. He missed all of last season with a knee injury he suffered before the draft and all of this season after receiving a cancer diagnosis during the preseason. He had a procedure in October, then underwent chemotherapy and worked his way back into shape.
He entered Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Bucks late in the first quarter and received a loud ovation. He scored his only points on a jumper from near the free-throw line early in the second quarter. He finished with two points, one rebound and one assist in a 110-93 loss.
Topic had seven points and seven assists in 16 minutes for the Thunder's G League affiliate, the Oklahoma City Blue, in a 137-135 overtime victory over the Sioux Falls Skyforce on Monday night.
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FILE - Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic, left, drives the ball upcourt against Charlotte Hornets forward Liam McNeeley, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball preseason game in North Charleston, S.C., Oct. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mic Smith, File)
DENVER (AP) — Brandon Marsh hit a three-run homer as part of a seven-run first inning, Aaron Nola pitched efficiently into the seventh and the Philadelphia Phillies spoiled Colorado’s home opener by beating the Rockies 10-1 on Friday.
The Phillies set the tone early by sending 11 batters to the plate against Michael Lorenzen (0-1) to begin the game. They finished with 13 hits, including three homers — all by lefties — with the wind blowing from left field. Marsh hit a sinker that went a projected 454 feet to the second deck in right-center. In the second, Bryce Harper launched a solo shot. Kyle Schwarber added a 460-foot drive to right field in the fifth.
Nola (1-0) scattered five hits and gave up one run over 6 1/3 innings. He struck out nine — the bullpen had six more — as Philadelphia won its eighth straight over Colorado. The latest one marked the Rockies' most lopsided loss in a home opener.
It also was win No. 350 for Phillies manager Rob Thomson, making him the fastest to reach the mark in club history (604 games).
There were 48,366 fans who showed up on a sunny but cool afternoon. The Rockies, a team coming off three straight 100-loss seasons, dropped to 18-16 in home openers, including 17-15 at Coors Field.
It was a rough outing for Lorenzen, who allowed nine runs and 12 hits over three innings. Mickey Moniak had one of Colorado's five hits in his first game of the season. Moniak started on the injured list due to a sprained right ring finger.
The Rockies were coming off a three-game series win in Toronto. They didn't capture their first series last season until early June against Miami.
The Phillies will throw lefty Jesús Luzardo (0-1, 9.00 ERA) on Saturday. The Rockies hadn't announced a scheduled starter, but right-hander Chase Dollander (1-0, 9.00) is expected to get some work.
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Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen calls for a new ball after giving up a three-run home run to Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
From left to right, Philadelphia Phillies' Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh celebrate as Marsh crosses home plate after hitting a three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola works against the Colorado Rockies in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philadelphia Phillies' Bryce Harper, right, congratulates Kyle Schwarber after his solo home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Valente Bellozo in the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Philadelphia Phillies' Brandon Marsh, right, follows the flight of his three-run home run off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, April 3, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
