Victor Oladipo to sit out of NBA return; Suns play Pacers in fourth game
Jul 3, 2020, 5:25 PM | Updated: Jul 4, 2020, 4:36 pm
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo (4) steals the ball on Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker in the first half during an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
The Phoenix Suns will avoid facing one NBA star in their return to the court.
Indiana Pacers wing Victor Oladipo will not compete in Orlando, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Oladipo is not sitting out due to coronavirus reasons; rather, his decision is due to a ruptured quadriceps tendon in his right knee that he suffered in January 2019. The injury caused him to miss the remainder of that season and all but 13 games this year.
The Suns will face Indiana on Aug. 6, the fourth game of their NBA return.
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Oladipo’s absence will give Phoenix a slight break, though the Pacers are a very competitive team even without the 2017-18 All-NBA player. Over the 47 games before Oladipo returned from injury, the Pacers were 30-17, tied for fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
In about 25.9 minutes over 13 games this season, Oladipo has averaged 13.8, 3.2 rebounds, 3.0 assists.
After three months without organized team practices, Oladipo is worried how his body will react if he jumps into action too quickly.
“With all the variables, from how I have to build my 5-on-5 workload back up, to the increased risk of a soft tissue injury which could delay my rehab, and the unknown exact set up of the bubble, I just can’t get my mind to being fully comfortable in playing,” Oladipo said to Charania.
“I have to be smart and this decision hasn’t been easy, but I truly believe continuing on the course I’m on and getting fully healthy for the 2020-21 season is the right decision for me.”
Oladipo plans to travel to Orlando with the team, according to Charania.
Next season will be the last of Oladipo’s four-year, $85 million contract.
Phoenix Suns 2019-20 TV schedule for seeding games
| Date | Time | Opponent | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 31 | 1:00 p.m. | Washington Wizards (24-40) | FOX Sports Arizona |
| Aug. 2 | 6:00 p.m. | Dallas Mavericks (40-27) | FOX Sports Arizona |
| Aug. 4 | 1:00 p.m. | Los Angeles Clippers (44-20) | NBA TV / FOX Sports Arizona |
| Aug. 6 | 1:00 p.m. | Indiana Pacers (39-26) | FOX Sports Arizona |
| Aug. 8 | 4:30 p.m. | Miami Heat (41-24) | FOX Sports Arizona |
| Aug. 10 | 11:30 a.m. | Oklahoma City Thunder (40-24) | FOX Sports Arizona |
| Aug. 11 | 1:30 p.m. | Phildelphia 76ers (39-26) | FOX Sports Arizona |
| Aug. 13 | TBD | Dallas Mavericks (40-27) | TBD |
