Beyond star absences, Nikola Topic's inspiring journey and dynamic play make this season finale unmissable. Witness a compelling rookie's final act.
Somehow, some way, the last day of the 2025-2026 NBA regular season is upon us.
The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Phoenix Suns at 7:30PM central time at The Paycom Center but the lineups for the two teams tonight will look nothing like the lineups both squads will trot out in the postseason. OKC will be without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso, Cason Wallace, Isaiah Joe, Jaylin Williams and Thomas Sorber. OKC has the #1 overall seed sown up and have nothing left to play for until Round 1 of the NBA Playoffs commence.
Meaningless game. All three Thunder stars and nine of the ten top rotation players not suiting up. The Suns themselves will be without Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Grayson Allen, Royce O'Neale and five of their role players are questionable. Surely this is a game that even diehard Thunder fans can skip, right?
Not so fast.
I'd argue there are a few reasons to tune into OKC's regular season finale. Aaron Wiggins is playing and he's liable to save basketball any given night. Lu Dort will play for 20 minutes to qualify for end of season awards. Jared McCain has been a fan favorite from the moment Oklahoma City traded for him, and his ability to catch fire is a fun sight to behold. Kenrich Williams in his role of locker room leader and on court hustler is one of the easiest players to root for on the team. And this game will represent the final time this season that two-way players Branden Carlson, Brooks Barnhizer and Payton Sandfort can play. Plus, the pursuit of the round number of 65 wins is irrationally more aesthetically pleasing than 64 wins.
But the prime reason to watch Thunder vs Suns as the season comes to a close is the player who represents one of the greatest storylines of the year.
Nikola Topic will likely be making his second career start. The 20 year old rookie is coming off his first career appearance in the starting lineup on Friday against the Nuggets in which he racked up 14 points, 11 assists and 4 steals. Topic showed off the playmaking and driving to the rim that made him an elite prospect in the 2024 NBA Draft.
Oklahoma City continue to rack up awards, achievements and accomplishments. The defending champions secured the #1 seed in the Western Conference for the third straight time, the reigning MVP is about to go back to back, another Thunder player became a first time All-Star and the team has overcome a multitude of injuries. But Topic's inspiring return to the court after an ACL tear and recovery, a battle with testicular cancer and three rounds of chemotherapy may take the cake for OKC Thunder story of the year.
And while Topic's story is just beginning, his rookie regular season reaches its final chapter with his second career start on Sunday night. I, for one, will be eagerly tuning in.