MIAMI — Victor Oladipo is questionable. This is a major breakthrough after three years of enduring rehab and other challenges.
The Miami HeatThey have listed Oladipo as questionable in their Monday night match against the Houston Rockets. Officially, this means that there is a 50-50 chance that the two-time All-Star will play for the first-time in almost a year. The expectation is that he will return, barring any last-second setbacks.
Oladipo was last seen in an NBA game on April 8, 2021. After undergoing another surgery to repair the quadriceps tendon in his right quadriceps, Oladipo has been off-the-court since. He was originally hurt while playing for the team. Indiana PacersIn January 2019.
Erik Spoelstra, Heat coach, said that “he has great fortitude.” “Getting hurt is the hardest thing for a professional athlete, and it takes away most of your time from the team. Mental health is probably the most difficult thing an athlete can face.
You don’t always feel part of it. There are doubts and you don’t know the outcome. This is a difficult place to be an athlete.
Oladipo is expected to add depth to the Heat team, which is currently 43-22 and holds a three-game lead at the Eastern Conference standings. There are 17 remaining games. He has averaged 17.5 point over his career, and was last season averaging 19.8 with three teams (Miami, Houston, and Indiana) before being hurt.
Now, he could be back against the Rockets. They were the team who sent him to Miami last year in exchange for Kelly Olynyk, Avery BradleyA swap of draft picks.
Heat forward: “He looks great!” Jimmy Butler said. “He’s been working hard for a long period of time, countless hours, rehab and in the gym. He’s a great guy and I look forward to seeing him again.”
Oladipo missed all but one of Miami’s 89 games in the last three years, including the playoff appearance last season. Since the original injury three years back, Oladipo has only played in 56 games and missed 201. After the first surgery, he missed one year and then missed 11 months.
Spoelstra won’t complain, but the challenge is to find minutes for everyone.
Point guard Kyle LowryThe team has approved that the absence for personal reasons will result in a return at some point, but no one knows when. Forward Markieff MorrisSince being injured in a scuffle against Denver’s, hasn’t been able to play. Nikola JokicOn Nov. 8, he was able to return, but he has been working out. Oladipo could soon join the rotation.
“We’ve been trying implement him in stuff. … He’s going be a tremendous boost to us,” Heat forward Caleb Martin said.
Oladipo was involved in practices with the Heat, and also did two rehab stints in Sioux Falls with Miami’s G League affiliate. However, he didn’t appear in an actual Skyforce game. He stated when the season began, that he wanted “one of our greatest comeback stories”
This is his chance to do so.
Spoelstra stated that “Throughout this whole process, I’ve really respected Vic’s ability to keep a positive spirit,” Spoelstra said. It is truly a rare quality. He has that special quality I love.”