Victor Oladipo injury: Pacers star explains why he will sit out of NBA Bubble restart

Victor Oladipo injury: Pacers star has decided to opt-out from the 2019-20 NBA season restart due to health concerns.

Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo has decided not to participate in the Bubble restart in Orlando, Florida. In an interview with The Athletic, Victor revealed his plan of not participating because he is not comfortable in returning under these conditions. However, Victor will travel to Orlando to support his team.

Victor Oladipo injury

Victor Oladipo tore his quad tendon last season and is under rehabilitation. Victor said that “I really want to play, and as a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart. I feel like I’m at a great place in my rehab and getting closer and closer to 100 percent. 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.”

Breaking: Preliminary exam has left Pacers with fear that Victor Oladipo has suffered a season-ending knee injury that will require surgery, league sources tell @wojespn. He will undergo an MRI on Thursday. pic.twitter.com/tgz5CQnRcG

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 24, 2019

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Why is Victor Oladipo not playing in the NBA Bubble restart?

The decision of not playing was hard for Victor as he further added: “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.”

Victor has decided not to take part in the season because he wants to be 100% fit for the next season. As the injury from which the 6-Foot-4 is suffering takes time to heal, Oladipo feels that rushing back onto the court in a competitive environment could hamper his career in the long run. 

Victor Oladipo has elected to opt out of the league’s restart at Disney World later this month. The 28-year-old played just 13 games for the Indiana Pacers this season after a year-long absence on account of a quad injury.

Details: https://t.co/Q0kNYH82hT pic.twitter.com/6aLROaiXaz

— SLAM Newswire (@SLAMnewswire) July 3, 2020

On the face of it, it seems like a smart move by Oladipo, especially with the concerns around the Bubble setup in Orlando.

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Indiana Pacers are tied with Philadelphia 76ers for the fifth place in the Eastern Conference at 39-26 and are just behind Miami Heat. Pacers have the potential to go deep into the playoffs but without Victor Oladipo the task seems a bit difficult.