Miami Heat shooting guard Victor Oladipo cannot catch a break when it comes to injuries. What was once a very promising career, which included back-to-back All-Star nominations in 2018 and 2019 has been derailed by unfortunate injuries.
The 42 games that Oladipo played this season are the most since the 2017-18 campaign when he played in 75. He worked tirelessly to get back into the lineup this season, but once again, he will be sidelined for a length of time because of an injury.
During the fourth quarter of Game 3 in the Heat’s first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks, Oladipo drove to the basket. As he was going up for a shot attempt, it looked like his knee gave out and he crumpled to the floor.
He immediately began clutching his knee in pain, a sight we have become all too accustomed to seeing Oladipo in. It was quickly diagnosed as a torn patellar tendon, which will sideline him for the remainder of the postseason and multiple months.
“It was a great win, but when you see a player go down like that and particularly a player like Vic, who has gone through so much in the last three years — I don’t know what it is right now, so I don’t want to jump the gun on anything,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said after Game 3. “But that’s definitely not a good feeling to see.”
NBA INJURY NEWS: Victor Oladipo & Miami Heat Updates
While it was devastating to see Oladipo go down with another injury, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium has a positive update. Optimism persists that Oladipo will be able to resume basketball activity before the year is over.
“Sources say there is optimism Miami’s Victor Oladipo will be able to resume basketball activities in six months and return to action next season. Oladipo is set to undergo surgery on his left knee this week.”
That is probably a best-case scenario for the veteran who turns 31 years old next month. His once-explosive athleticism and two-way brilliance have been sapped by numerous injuries to his lower body. He ruptured his quad in 2019 and had to undergo another surgery in 2021 on the same injury.
NBA INJURY NEWS: Victor Oladipo & Miami Heat Updates
Oladipo will join Tyler Herro on the sidelines, who is expected to be out 4-to-6 weeks after breaking his hand in Game 1. Despite those losses, the Heat find themselves up 3-1 in the series with Game 5 set to take place Wednesday evening.
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