Thunder vs Grizzlies recap: Nikola Topić debuts for OKC in NBA Summer League opener

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - JULY 5: Nate Hinton #8 of the Memphis Grizzlies tries to push through Zack Austin #52 and Alex Ducas #88 of the Oklahoma City Thunder during the first half of their NBA Summer League game at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on July 5, 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah.

After sitting out last season due to a knee injury, Topic will make his NBA Summer League debut Saturday when the Thunder opens its three-game stand in Salt Lake City against the Grizzlies at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The 6-foot-6 Serbian guard averaged 15.1 points and 5.9 assists per game with Crvena zvezda in the Adriatic League when he last played competitive basketball in the 2023-24 season.

Topić suffered a partially torn ACL in his left knee nearly two months before the 2024 NBA Draft, where he fell from a projected top-five pick to No. 12 overall to the Thunder.

“We've seen this before, where somebody has a year where they can just focus on getting their feet underneath them as an NBA player, working on their body, learning the league,” Thunder general manager Sam Presti said during his offseason news conference June 30. “I think he's made great strides during this period of time.”

Thunder vs Grizzlies live score updates in NBA Summer League

Final: Grizzlies 92, Thunder 80 | Nikola Topic scores 14 points in debut, but Memphis beats OKC

Jaylen Wells and GG Jackson each scored 20 points Saturday to lead the Grizzlies to a 92-80 win over the Thunder in their Salt Lake City Summer League opener.

Nikola Topic's first game in a Thunder uniform had flashes of brilliance (14 points, four assists and two steals) and areas for improvement (seven turnovers, four fouls).

Ajay Mitchell led the way for OKC with 24 points and six assists.

The Thunder committed 23 turnovers in 40 minutes.

Up next for the Thunder in Salt Lake Summer League play is a 6 p.m. Monday game against the 76ers.

End third quarter: Grizzlies 72, Thunder 62 | Memphis closes on 9-2 run to extend lead on Ajay Mitchell, OKC

Jaylen Wells (20 points) and GG Jackson (13 points) keep rolling for the Grizzlies.

Brooks Barnhizer, the Thunder's second-round pick two weeks ago, is up to 12 points and seven points.

Nikola Topic made another 3-pointer in the third quarter and is up to 14 points on 6-for-12 shooting.

Ajay Mitchell has 18 points to lead the Thunder.

Halftime: Grizzlies 45, Thunder 40 | Jaylen Wells, Nikola Topic shining in return from injuries

It didn't take long for Jaylen Wells to shake off any rust he had after breaking his wrist in April.

Wells has 12 points on 3-for-7 shooting with two rebounds, two assists and two steals for the Grizzlies at halftime.

GG Jackson, who made the All-NBA Rookie second team in the 2023-24 season before suffering a foot injury that limited him last year, has seven points for Memphis.

Ajay Mitchell keeps showing why he was a hidden gem in the 2024 draft. The second-round pick out of UC Santa Barbara is leading the Thunder with 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting.

Nikola Topic is up to seven points, three assists and two steals for OKC in 13 minutes.

Brooks Barnhizer and Mady Sissoko each have seven rebounds for the Thunder.

End first quarter: Grizzlies 19, Thunder 18 | Nikola Topic makes his Thunder debut in NBA Summer League

Nikola Topić showcased some smart defense getting in passing lanes in his first taste of live NBA action with the Thunder.

After the first quarter in Salt Lake City, Topić had two points on 1-for-4 shooting, two steals and three turnovers.

Ajay Mitchell scored nine points on 3-for-7 shooting to lead the way for OKC.

Playing for the first time since breaking his wrist in April, guard Jaylen Wells scored eight points to lead the way for the Grizzlies.

Starting lineups for Thunder vs Grizzlies in Salt Lake City Summer League opener

Thunder: Nikola Topic, Ajay Mitchell, Brooks Barnhizer, Malevy Leons, Mady Sissoko

Grizzlies: Zyon Pullin, Cam Spencer, Jaylen Wells, GG Jackson II, Armando Bacot

What time is Thunder vs Grizzlies game today in NBA Summer League?

• Date: Saturday, July 5
• Time: 6 p.m. CT
• Where: Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City

The Thunder vs Grizzlies game starts at 6 p.m. CT Saturday from Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City.

Where to watch Thunder vs Grizzlies in NBA Summer League

• TV: ESPNU, FDSN Oklahoma
• Livestream: Fubo (here's how to stream it live)

The Thunder vs Grizzlies game will be broadcast on ESPNU and Fan Duel Sports Network Oklahoma. It can be streamed on Fubo and ESPN+.

How long are quarters in NBA Summer League play?

NBA Summer League games are comprised of four 10-minute quarters instead of usual 12-minute quarters.

Thunder 2025 NBA Summer League roster 

Player, No., Pos., Ht., Wt., College/Previous team

• Zack Austin: No. 52, F, 6-5, 216, Pittsburgh
• Brooks Barnhizer: No. 23, F, 6-5, 227, Northwestern
• Ty Brewer: No. 27, F, 6-5, 210, Mittel Deutscher BC
• Cameron Brown: No. 16, F, 6-5, 218, St. Joseph's
• Branden Carlson: No. 15, C, 7-0, 227, Utah
• Alex Ducas: No. 88, F, 6-6, 215, St. Mary's
• Cesare Edwards: No. 45, F/C, 6-7, 224, Georgia State
• Jazian Gortman: No. 26, G, 6-1, 175, Overtime Elite
• Viktor Lahkin: No. 50, C, 6-11, 247, Clemson
• Malevy Leons: No. 17, F, 6-9, 196, Bradley
• Ajay Mitchell: No. 25, G, 6-4, 204, UC Santa Barbara
• Erik Reynolds II: No. 41, G, 6-2, 183, St. Joseph's
• Payton Sandfort: No. 30, F, 6-6, 214, Iowa
• Mady Sissoko: No. 42, C, 6-7, 240, UC Berkeley
• Thomas Sorber: No. 12, C, 6-9, 270, Georgetown
• Nikola Topic: No. 44, G, 6-6, 216, Crvena zvezda
• Kerwin Walton: No. 28, F, 6-4, 209, Texas Tech
• Hason Ward: No. 31, C, 6-8, 214, Iowa State
• Chris Youngblood: No. 40, G, 6-4, 223, Alabama

Thunder 2025 NBA Summer League schedule

All times Central

Salt Lake City Summer League

• Saturday, July 5: OKC vs. Memphis at 6 p.m. (ESPNU)
• Monday, July 7: OKC vs. Philadelphia at 6 p.m. (ESPN)
• Tuesday, July 8: OKC vs. Utah at 8 p.m. (NBA TV)

Las Vegas Summer League

• Thursday, July 10: OKC vs. Brooklyn at 4:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
• Saturday, July 12: OKC vs. Indiana at 4:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
• Tuesday, July 15: OKC vs. Orlando at 5:30 p.m. (NBA TV)
• Wednesday, July 16: OKC vs. New Orleans at 8:30 p.m. (NBA TV)

Thunder vs Grizzlies highlights in NBA Summer League

We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.