Nikola Topić's Injury Casts Shadow Over Crvena Zvezda's ABA League Playoff Finals

Nikola Topić, a key player for Crvena Zvezda, suffered an injury in the first match of the ABA League playoff finals against Partizan. The injury is likely to end his tenure with the team, casting a shadow over Crvena Zvezda's narrow 89-88 victory.

The match, held at Aleksandar Nikolic Hall, saw Dejan Davidovac score a season-high 23 points, with Luka Mitrovic securing the win with clutch free throws. Despite the victory, Crvena Zvezda faced significant challenges stemming from injuries, including those to Yago Dos Santos and Nemanja Nedovic.

Topić's injury adds to a growing list of absentees for Crvena Zvezda, which includes Adam Hanga, Joel Bolomboy, Javonte Smart, Mike Tobey, and Freddie Gillespie. Partizan also dealt with injuries to key players such as Balsa Koprivica, James Nunnally, P.J. Dozier, Frank Kaminsky, and Bruno Caboclo.

The game itself was a tightly contested battle. Crvena Zvezda's impressive free throw shooting, making 18 of 21 attempts (85.7%), and their dominance on the boards, outrebounding Partizan 37-24, were key factors in their victory. Five players from Crvena Zvezda and four from Partizan scored in double figures, showcasing the competitive nature of the match.

Series progression will necessitate both teams adapting to the absence of key players. Game 2 is scheduled to take place at Belgrade Arena, with Game 3, if necessary, set for Aleksandar Nikolic Hall. The ABA League has also announced sanctions for Stefan Lazarevic and James Nunnally, including three-game suspensions following a pre-game altercation.

Nikola Topić's injury is a significant blow for Crvena Zvezda, especially given his status as a top prospect for the 2024 NBA Draft. Topić, who played for Mega earlier in the season before rejoining Crvena Zvezda, expressed his enthusiasm for his potential NBA future during the NBA Draft combine in Treviso. However, his current focus remains on rehabilitation and recovery.

Crvena Zvezda's victory in the first match of the ABA League playoff finals was marred by the injury to Nikola Topić. The team's preparations for the next game will be hindered by the absence of their key players, which will be a significant challenge.

Key Takeaways

• Nikola Topić suffers injury in ABA League playoff finals, likely ending his tenure with Crvena Zvezda.
• Crvena Zvezda wins Game 1 against Partizan 89-88 despite injuries to key players.
• Topić's injury adds to Crvena Zvezda's growing list of absentees, including Adam Hanga and Joel Bolomboy.
• Game 2 is scheduled for Belgrade Arena, with Game 3 set for Aleksandar Nikolic Hall if necessary.
• Topić is a top prospect for the 2024 NBA Draft, but his current focus is on rehabilitation and recovery.