Victor Oladipo Out For The Season Due To Ruptured Quad In Right Knee

Dan Garcia via Flickr

NBA

Victor Oladipo Out For The Season Due To Ruptured Quad In Right Knee

Entering Wednesday night, the Indiana Pacers were having another impressive season, putting together a 31-15 record. The Pacers also had hopes to not only compete in the Eastern Conference, but to contend. However, against the Toronto Raptors last night, those hopes took a huge hit. Pacers star shooting guard Victor Oladipo went down with a knee injury.

Oladipo’s injury didn’t look good from the start. A stretcher was brought out to help carry him off the court. On Thursday, ESPN Senior Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Oladipo ruptured his quad in his right knee.

He’ll undergo surgery at a date to be determined. This injury is similar to what Tony Parker went through. Parker hurt his quad in the 2017 playoffs against the Houston Rockets.

Obviously, Parker is older than Oladipo, who’s 26 years of age, but this type of injury isn’t a common basketball injury. It’s likely going to take Oladipo a full year to get back to the level he was playing at before the injury. His game is based of explosiveness, athleticism, and tenacity that’s similar to Russell Westbrook, who’s his former teammate in Oklahoma City.

Where Do The Pacers Go From Here?

Before Oladipo’s injury, the Pacers were likely going to make a move by the trading deadline for their playoff run. Now the Pacers are likely going to stick with the roster they have because their hopes of contending have evaporated. As constructed, they’ll do enough to make sure they keep their playoff spot. They’re going to need more from big man Myles Turner, who received a five-year, $90 million extension before the season started.

The Pacers are also going to need Tyreke Evans, Darren Collison, and Corey Joseph to help try to keep things afloat offensively. Currently, the Pacers are 21st in the NBA in points scored, averaging 109 points per contest. So to stay afloat, they’re going to have to do their best to get it done collectively.

Pacers coach Nate McMillan is one of the more underrated coaches in the league, and they won’t fold their tents. They’ll likely show the same grit they displayed last night against the Raptors. Their resiliency was tested after Oladipo and they rose to the challenge. They held off the Raptors for a 110-106 win at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, showing that they won’t go quiet into the night.

Notes

In 36 games played this season, Oladipo averaged 18.8 points, 5.2 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He also missed 11 games this season due to a knee injury that occurred on November 7th. The Pacers went 7-4 in Oladipo’s absence so playing without him isn’t something that’s going to be a new experience for them.

Up Next For The Pacers

The Pacers hope to keep the momentum they established last night against the Raptors. Their next game will be on Saturday night on the road against the Memphis Grizzlies, who have been struggling as of late. They’re currently on a seven game losing streak, and the Pacers have a chance to add another win to the win column.

 

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Dan Garcia via Flickr