Scott Agness: Victor Oladipo received clearance from his doctor and has a flight scheduled to Indy this afternoon for Game 3 (8:30pm). It will be his first game since suffering a ruptured right quad tendon on Jan. 26.
Storyline: Victor Oladipo Injury
140 rumors in this storyline
More Rumors in this Storyline
Scott Agness: To be clear, Oladipo’s rehab is going well — but he isn’t close to returning. With it being the playoffs, the self-proclaimed “positive butterfly” wants to be back around his guys and show his support.
“He told me he would be coming back,” coach Nate McMillan told IndyStar, before they meet the Celtics for the final time in the regular season Friday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. “I don’t think he’ll travel with us, but I assume when we come home, he’ll be with us for those games.” Oladipo, whose breakout 2017-18 season included All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defense and Most Improved Player honors, went down Jan. 23.
Pacers star Victor Oladipo made significant progress in his recovery Thursday. An Instagram post from his account showed him walking without the assistance of a brace down the hallway. He had surgery eight weeks ago after suffering a season-ending injury in January. His doctor said that while Oladipo should continue wearing the brace in public, he’d like him to not wear it while at home.
Nothing can stop Victor Oladipo from getting buckets. In yet another video showing his recovery following surgery for a ruptured quad tendon, Oladipo shows that his 3-point shot is still very much intact, even with a brace still fitted to his right leg. While he’s shooting, Vic says “They say you gotta crawl before you can walk. They say you gotta walk before you can run.”
On the past few weeks. Victor Oladipo: “It’s just a blessing that I can still do something relating to basketball even though I can’t play the games. Just trying to find ways to get better even though I’m not able to play. I’m still watching games, still watching other people’s games, still study the game, still have time to go form shoot and stuff like that. I’m a very optimistic person and very confident that I’ll be able to come back better than ever. Just taking it one day at a time really.”
On what his surgeon told him about this surgery Victor Oladipo: “My doctor told me that the surgery had went well, that he got all unnecessary things out of my knee. I’m looking forward to seeing my knee be stronger than it ever was. I’m a positive butterfly. I’m not looking too far into the future, and I’m not looking into the past. I’m just focused on today. And trying to get better every day. That’s what it’s all about.”
Victor Oladipo has not been given a prediction for a return to full-scale workouts or playing in a game, but remains optimistic about coming back as strong as before his injury. “I’m just taking it one day at a time,” he said. “At the end of the day I’m a positive butterfly. I’m not looking too far into the future and I’m not looking at the past; just focused on today and trying to get better every day.”
On whether his injury was related to the knee soreness that kept him out of 11 games in November and December: Victor Oladipo: “Who knows? I can sit here and say it’s related, but I really wouldn’t know. I can sit here and say it’s not related, but I really wouldn’t know. I ‘m sure it might be connected in some way, but who can tell? Who knows, really? I’m not toto focused on the past. All I’m really worried about is today and today I have rehab at 4:30.”
On whether he plans to return to Indianapolis and rejoin the team at some point before the season ends: Victor Oladipo: “Definitely. I plan on coming back and coming to some games and supporting when I’m able to. I’m looking forward to that, too. Being back in the arena and seeing the fans and my teammates and my coaching staff and everybody that works for the Pacers as well. I miss them, for sure.”
Seeing is believing. The Pacers know Victor Oladipo is here, recovering from season-ending surgery to his right knee. Friday, before playing the Miami Heat on Saturday, they got a live audience with their two-time All-Star for the first time since rupturing his quad tendon Jan. 23 “It was good to see him, physically,” said Myles Turner. “He was in good spirits. I didn’t expect anything less.”
Oladipo remains on crutches and has to keep his leg elevated. His glee and message didn’t change. Miami is where Oladipo is based on the offseason. “It was pretty much what we’ve talked about when he was with us. We’ve got to stay together,” McMillan said. “We got to work our way through it. People are doubting you. It was really positive.”
“I just want to thank the players, coaches, fans and media for voting for me, it’s most appreciated,” said Victor Oladipo. “I am honestly speechless just knowing I have the support of my peers, people I look up to and admire, as well as the fans. All I can say is thank you and I am working on coming back stronger not just physically, but mentally as well.”
If anyone can understand the lengthy road ahead that Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo has to navigate following Monday’s surgery, it’s the veteran guard the Hornets signed in the offseason. Tony Parker fully comprehends the rigors ahead for Oladipo. Parker ruptured his left quadriceps tendon 20 months ago in the San Antonio Spurs’ second-round playoff series against the Houston Rockets. So he feels for Oladipo, knowing the grueling journey he’s facing. “It sucks. It sucks,” Parker told The Athletic. “You never want to see that and I wish him well. They already contacted me to talk to him and I’ll try to help him as much as I can because I’ve been through it. It’s a tough injury. It’s worse than an Achilles or an ACL. It’s a big injury. Hopefully, he’s ready for the long challenge ahead and the rehab. Hopefully, he’ll be fine and he’ll be back.”
Although he hasn’t spoken directly with Oladipo yet, Parker plans to lend his verbal support should he inquire with him — something that likely will happen. Pacers team officials may also have an opportunity to ask Parker a few questions when the Hornets are in Indianapolis again to play Feb. 11. If so, just like he’s been there for his new teammates in Charlotte, Parker plans on providing Oladipo with some invaluable knowledge. “Of course, of course,” Parker said. “I’m always open to talk and share everything that I went through.”
Pritchard and Buchanan made it back in time for Monday’s tipoff; Corbeil returned on a later flight and claimed his seat at the front of the bench for the second half. “I just spoke with him, he’s doing fine,” coach Nate McMillan said before the game. “He’s doing good, said everything went great.”
Scott Agness: Victor Oladipo with a pre-game message: “I’ll be back better than ever.” #Feathery #Unbreakable
Victor Oladipo underwent successful surgery Monday to repair a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee, sustained with 4:05 to play in the second quarter of last Wednesday night’s game against Toronto. He is expected to make a full recovery. No timetable has been established for his return. Further updates will be provided as warranted.
When the Warriors (35-14) host the Indiana Pacers (32-16) on Monday, Cousins will not just have concerns on his ongoing progress from his injury. He will also have concerns with All-Star forward Victor Oladipo, who recently suffered a season-ending injury because of a ruptured quad tendon in his right knee. “There’s no doubt in my mind he’s going to battle from that and be even better a player than he was before,” Cousins said following practice on Sunday at Harvard University. “You hate to see any guy go through that type of thing. It sucks. It really does.”
Cousins also passed along his way wishes to Oladipo, who suffered a similar injury that ended Charles Barkley’s career in 1999. “We put our bodies through so much to play this game. I feel like that is undervalued how much you go through,” Cousins said. “I hate to see anybody go down. You got Oladipo dealing with an injury that is unheard of and probably one of the toughest to come back. Shout out to him and wish him the best.”
“That was brutal,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “He’s had such a great young career the last couple of years. He’s elevated his game to the point where he’s become one of the top 20 players in the game and a perennial All-Star. I hate to see that happen to anybody, especially somebody like Oladipo, who has worked his way up to reach this plateau.”
Anthony Slater: DeMarcus Cousins just went through a grueling rehab. He feels for Victor Oladipo: “We put our bodies through so much in the NBA. I feel like it’s undervalued.”
Scott Agness: Victor Oladipo took a charter flight from Indy to Miami this afternoon. That’s where he’s trained the last two summers. From the snow to 75°.
Anthony Slater: Quinn Cook played with Victor Oladipo in high school. Long-time friends. Oladipo had that devastating injury the other night. Cook has ‘VO4’ written on both shoes tonight.
Scott Agness: Victor Oladipo on IG: “I will be back better than ever and if you question that well, thank you.” pic.twitter.com/imK0XUKTzU
Pau Gasol: Speedy recovery @Victor Oladipo! Best wishes on your recovery 🙏🏼 #NBAFamily 💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/0t7bofCZqZ
Rudy Gobert: Come back stronger @Victor Oladipo 💪🏽.
Donovan Mitchell: Praying for you my brother @Victor Oladipo 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Royce Young: Paul George on Victor Oladipo’s injury: pic.twitter.com/Hi5nKMon60
Thaddeus Young backed up his message with an inspiring second-half performance. He finished with a game-high 23 points and season-high 15 rebounds as the Pacers snapped a five-game losing streak to the Raptors, 110-106. “You try not to think about (the injury),” Young said while seated at his locker. “You try to get through the task at hand and then try to worry about it after because it’s out of our hands. It is tough. “We rallied around what happened to Victor and tried to make the best out of the situation. You don’t like to see guys go down at any point in the season, especially with it being our star player.”
Players weren’t aware of the extent of Oladipo’s injury after the game and had not spoken to him since he left the floor on a stretcher. Neither had coach Nate McMillan, whose 600th career win was an afterthought. Several players planned to visit or talk with Oladipo once they left the arena. “As of right now, we’re worried about the injury, but we have to continue to play because nobody’s going to feel sorry for us,” Young said. “Even though Victor is out, everybody’s going to try to beat the snot out of us.”
A preliminary exam has left the Indiana Pacers fearful that All-Star guard Victor Oladipo suffered a season-ending right-knee injury Wednesday night that will require surgery, league sources told ESPN. Oladipo will undergo an MRI on Thursday in Indianapolis for a full accounting of the damage, the team said.
Ryan Wolstat: Victor Oladipo on injury: “I just slipped and knew it was serious. We’ll see what tomorrow shows and go from there. My teammates stepped up earlier this season and everyone has the utmost confidence going forward.”
Oladipo was carried off the court on a stretcher during the second quarter of the Pacers’ 110-106 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night with a serious right knee injury. He is scheduled for an MRI on Thursday. “It is a serious injury and we’ll know more after the MRI,” coach Nate McMillan said. “We’re not going to speculate. It’s a tough situation. That kid has a beautiful spirit about him. He has always been one to try and to lift us up. We’ve got to lift him now.”
Ryan Wolstat: Siakam on gathering after Oladipo injury: “It’s hard, because I kind of felt like anything can happen. Yeah, it kind of got into me a little bit. Just kind of like trying to snap out of it. It’s sports and things happen, but when you’re that close, it’s a little different.”
Michael Grange: Danny Green on Oladipo injury: “I think he knew right away, he pulled his knee sleeve down and the knee looked very abnormally out of place, it didn’t look normal. Guys were looking at it and looking away. … it did look kind of nasty, it looked like it was out of place.”
A. Sherrod Blakely: Statement from the #Pacers on Victor Oladipo’s knee injury “Victor Oladipo suffered a serious injury to his right knee with 4:05 to play in the second quarter of the Pacers game against the Toronto Raptors. He will have an MRI Thursday and an update will be provided then.”
Josh Hart: Prayers up to my brother @Victor Oladipo 🙌🏽
Jamal Crawford: 🙏🏽 @Victor Oladipo
Shaun Livingston: Praying for you bro @Victor Oladipo
Alan Williams: Prayers up for Vic always hate to see that 🙏🏾
Richaun Holmes: Prayers up for @Victor Oladipo man
Buddy Hield: Prayers Up for @Victor Oladipo 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
CJ McCollum: Prayers up for my homie @Victor Oladipo 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Kyle Kuzma: 🙏🏽🙏🏽 @Victor Oladipo
Karl-Anthony Towns: Prayers up to @Victor Oladipo 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
Bradley Beal: Prayers up Vic !! 🙏🏽
LeBron James: 🙏🏾‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ @Victor Oladipo
SLAM Magazine: Victor Oladipo was stretchered off in Indiana with an apparent leg injury. PRAYERS UP 🙏🙏 (via @FSIndiana) pic.twitter.com/vWIEhOmMvR
Paul George: Prayers up VO 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Devin Booker: Prayers up @Victor Oladipo🙏🏽
J. Michael Falgoust: Oladipo is down. Grabbed his knee immediately. Slipped trying to stop an outlet to Siakam. Everybody is running out there #PacersRaptors
J. Michael Falgoust: A stretcher is out for Oladipo #PacersRaptors
He’s not yet where he’d like to be, but he’s still the Pacers’ best player and is at his best when in attack mode and opening up the floor. “It’s tough, I don’t think people can really understand how much time I missed,” Oladipo told The Athletic in a conversation after the win. “That’s no excuse, obviously, but I can’t get frustrated. I just got to continue to keep playing and the rhythm and the game and the timing and everything will come back.”
J. Michael Falgoust: McMillan says Oladipo will still have his minutes managed tonight but that there haven’t been any setbacks since Wed #PacersSixers
J. Michael Falgoust: McMillan on Oladipo: He’s questionable for #Bucks tomorrow. #Pacers
J. Michael Falgoust: McMillan on Oladipo: “When he does come back he’ll be on restriction” #Pacers
J. Michael Falgoust: Oladipo expects to be on a minutes restriction when he returns #Pacers
Scott Agness: A vibrant Victor Oladipo went through his normal pregame routine – ball handling, shooting and pull-up 3s – while they played his song overhead for the first time. Also, it is very possible that he resumes practicing with the team Tuesday.
J. Michael Falgoust: Sabonis (sick) is questionable for tonight. There was just an optional shoot around this morning. Oladipo (knee) who is still OUT was participating fwiw #PacersMagic
Scott Agness: Victor Oladipo did not have a setback after 4-on-4 yesterday, but he did not feel any better. The organization made the decision to remove the day-to-day designation and daily conversation on his return. Recent X-rays of his right knee were negative.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Pacers All-Star guard Victor Oladipo (sore right knee) is still working himself back into game condition and is expected to return in the near future, league sources tell ESPN. There are no structural issues with his knee.
Scott Agness: Pacers announce that All-Star Victor Oladipo, who hasn’t played since Nov. 17, is out indefinitely. Until this announcement, he was listed as day-to-day with right knee soreness.
Scott Agness: Oladipo was encouraged yesterday after he played 4-on-4 after shootaround. Frustrated by the injury, he stressed that he wouldn’t return until it felt 100 percent. Pacers president Kevin Pritchard, GM Chad Buchanan and the medical staff watched closely.
There’s progress with Victor Oladipo, after he played half-court 4-on-4 for the first time since he has sat out with a sore right knee, but his mood before Thursday’s game vs. the L.A. Lakers isn’t a happy one. He wants to play instead of missing his sixth game in a row. Oladipo only played five minutes before leaving a Nov. 17 game with the Atlanta Hawks and hasn’t played since. “It’s terrible. Terrible,” Oladipo said while icing his knee at Staples Center after the Pacers’ morning shootaround. “It’s a new step for me today.”
Oladipo’s chances of playing in the finale don’t seem great, but they’re better now that he’s at least played half-court. He’ll have a chance to fully practice Friday. “That’s not a guarantee but that will be our first live practice tomorrow that we can have and hopefully he can participate in that and he’s closer,” coach Nate McMillan said.
J. Michael Falgoust: Oladipo is still day to day, per McMillan. There’s no practice on a back to back but after Phoenix went this morning he had an informal workout. They’ll only have a walkthru v #Lakers … no 5 on 5. His next chance to go live is Fri before finale v #Kings #PacersSuns
Scott Agness: Victor Oladipo (sore right knee) won’t play tonight vs San Antonio. pic.twitter.com/nQqWNXccnd
J. Michael Falgoust: For tomorrow in Charlotte, Oladipo is questionable (sore right knee) as is Turner (left ankle sprain) #PacersHornets
April 25, 2019 | 5:37 am EDT Update
League sources know how much Durant cares about his image and legacy and reveres the allure of New York City’s sports stage as a product of a tough Washington area upbringing.
Anthony Puccio: D’Angelo Russell was asked if there’s any link to Phoenix due to @DevinBook : “I’m linked to them because of him? S— I didn’t know that. That’s my brother right there. So even if there’s no link to it or w/e we’re still going to be best friends… It’s bigger than basketball.”
“Nobody’s offered me a starting job, so I perfected the one I have.” Lou Will talks about taking on the 6th man role.
But the LA Clippers, who beat the Warriors 129-121 in Game 5 on Wednesday to extend their first-round series, took exception to being overlooked. “For us, our focus was to come in, extend the series and get another win on the home floor,” Clippers star reserve Lou Williams said after the win at Oracle Arena, which pushed the series to Game 6 on Friday in Los Angeles. “It’s their mistake for looking ahead. So that’s on them.”
