{"id":270114,"date":"2023-04-23T19:27:10","date_gmt":"2023-04-24T00:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/?p=270114"},"modified":"2023-04-24T10:53:33","modified_gmt":"2023-04-24T15:53:33","slug":"miami-heat-injury-victor-oladipo-out-playoffs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/news\/miami-heat-injury-victor-oladipo-out-playoffs\/","title":{"rendered":"Miami Heat Guard Victor Oladipo to Miss Remainder of Postseason"},"content":{"rendered":"

Miami Heat backup combo guard Victor Oladipo has sustained a gruesome left knee injury and will miss the remainder<\/a> of the NBA playoffs.<\/p>\n

\"Victor
Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo clutches his left knee after he suffered an injury against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 3 at American Airlines Arena in Miami. (Image: USA Today Sports<\/em>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The #8 Heat jumped out to a 2-1 series lead against the #1 Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs. But they’ll have to navigate the remainder of the postseason without a key player because of an unfortunate injury to Oladipo.<\/p>\n

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With a 44-38 record, the Heat finished the regular season in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They qualified for the Play-In Tournament, but lost in the opening game against the eighth-place Atlanta Hawks, who secured the #7 seed. The Heat locked up the #8 seed when they defeated the Chicago Bulls in the second play-in game.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

With the #8 seed, the Heat had an opening-round date against the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks were a little rusty to start their series against the Heat, who were already in postseason mode after two games in the Play-In Tournament.<\/p>\n

The Heat upset the Bucks to win Game 1 on the road in Milwaukee by 13 points. The Bucks bounced back to tie the series with a 138-122 victory in Game 2. When the series shifted to Miami for Game 3, the Heat didn’t squander their home-court edge and won, 121-99.<\/p>\n

Heat Win Game 3, Lose Oladipo<\/h2>\n

Late in the fourth quarter of Game 3, Oladipo blew past two defenders from the Bucks and tore the patellar tendon in his left knee when he tried to plant his foot and elevate for a dunk. He crashed to the floor underneath the basket and unleashed an expletive that was loud enough to be heard on the televised broadcast. He grabbed his left knee and remained on the hardwood for a significant amount of time while medical staff attended to him.<\/p>\n

Oladipo needed assistance off the court. He didn’t return to the game and finished with eight points in 19 minutes. The Heat held on to win Game 3 in a 22-point blowout.<\/p>\n

It was a great win, but when you see a player go down like that, that’s definitely not a good feeling to see,” said Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra. “Particularly a player like Vic, who has gone through so much in the last three years.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Prior to his injury in Game 3, Oladipo averaged 11.5 points per game in 22.5 minutes per game in the 2023 playoffs. He averaged 10.7 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.0 rebounds per game during the regular season, which marked the lowest output of his career.<\/p>\n

The Heat were already short-handed after starting shooting guard Tyler Herro broke his right hand<\/a> while diving for a loose ball in Game 1. Oladipo saw an uptick in playing time without Herro in the lineup in Games 2 and 3. Heading into Game 4, the Heat will be without two of their best shooters.<\/p>\n

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Victor Oladipo leaves the floor after injuring his left knee.<\/p>\n

Sending good vibes to @VicOladipo<\/a> from Heat Nation.@MiamiHEAT<\/a> | #HEATCulture<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Ju1L8Y2DnD<\/a><\/p>\n

— Bally Sports Sun: HEAT (@BallyHEAT) April 23, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n