Victor Oladipo Stretchered Off, Knee Injury Thought to Be Serious

Indiana Pacers officials said that a preliminary exam of the right knee of Pacers guard Victor Oladipo leaves them fearful he will need season-ending surgery.

The All-Star guard will have an MRI in Indianapolis later today which will give a full accounting of the seriousness of the injury.

Head coach Nate McMillan described the injury as serious but would not speculate on the situation while the team awaits the MRI results.

Officials with the Pacers were preparing for a worst case scenario of losing the most important player on a team that is legitimately competing with the elite of the NBA.

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Victor Oladipo fell to the court during Wednesday’s game at home against Toronto. The injury occurred after he tried and failed in disrupting a pass by the Raptors. While falling to the court, Oladipo’s right leg bent awkwardly.

The severity of Oladipo’s injury was immediately apparent as trainers placed a towel over the leg and players on both the Raptors and Pacers surrounded Oladipo while he lay prone on the court.

When he was carted off the court on a stretcher, the Indiana crowd gave Oladipo a standing ovation. Inn response, he waved to the crowd.

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Oladipo has helped to transform the Pacers since joining the team in 2017 from Oklahoma City. He’s developed into an NBA All-Star for the first time during the 2017-18 season. At this point of the season, Oladipo leads the Pacers in scoring with an average of 19.2 points per game.

Despite Oladipo going down hurt during the second quarter, Indiana defeated Toronto 110-106. It is now 32-15 on the season and third overall in the Eastern Conference.

Pacers player Myles Turner told reporters following the game that the team must play inspired ball as a unit. He added that they cannot allow the injury to get them down and in a rut. It is emotion, he added, but the team must overcome that and continue to play.