Victor Oladipo injury update: How long will Heat star be out for?
Oladipo tore his patellar tendon in Game 3 of the first-round series against the Bucks.
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Victor Oladipo (SAM NAVARRO/USA TODAY SPORTS)
The Miami Heat recently pulled off a great upset as they eliminated the first seed, the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round. Though the team did this without the presence of two of their key players, Victor Oladipo and Tyler Herro. While Tyler Herro broke his finger prior to the postseason, Oladipo suffered his injury playing in the first round against the Bucks.
The 30-year-old guard played Games 1 and 2 of the first round, in which he averaged 11 points and 3 rebounds. In Game 3 of the series, Oladipo injured his knee in the fourth quarter. The Heat was up by 24 points at the time, when Oladipo drove to the bucket and a wrong step changed the course for him. The guard collapsed as he was trying to score a layup and couldn’t get up. He was carried off by the Heat staff and didn’t return to the game.
After an MRI scan, it was revealed that Victor Oladipo had torn his patellar tendon, and he would miss the remainder of the postseason. This had the Miami Heat look even more shorthanded going ahead in the playoffs. Though owing to the heroics of Jimmy Butler, Miami got past the Bucks in just five games. The team is now set to face the Philadelphia 76ers as they advance to the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals.
Oladipo had a much bigger role to play this postseason following Herro’s injury. Victor has averaged 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists in the 42 games he played in this regular season. As later announced by the team, there is no timetable for his return following his patellar tendon surgery. Looking at the numbers, Oladipo was definitely a key role player for the Heat. This injury of his will impact him mentally. Concurrent injuries have hampered his career as the shine hasn’t been witnessed since his days in Indiana.
Victor Oladipo has missed over 250 games in the last four years
The last time Oladipo had set his mark among the top guards in the league was in the 2017-18 season. Oladipo played for the Indiana Pacers, and he played his best season with them, averaging 23 points and five rebounds. Though the following season was a nightmare as he’ll get injured halfway through the season. This would be the last time the fans saw prime Victor Oladipo as he would go on to miss the next 255 of the next 374 games.
Oladipo had his proper return in the 2022-23 season after missing a good four seasons. He will go through rehab, while the Heat will continue playing without him for the rest of the postseason. Oladipo hasn’t had the best season this year as well, as a return from this injury will be more impacting. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Victor Oladipo and whether he will return by the next regular season.
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Ritvik Malhotra
(1085 Articles Published)