Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo has decided to sit out of the NBA season restart, according to Shams Charania.
“I really want to play, and as a competitor and teammate this is tearing me apart,” Oladipo told Charania. “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.”
Oladipo continued, “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.”
For now, the plan is for Oladipo to travel to Orlando with the team and continue rehab, Charania notes.
The 28-year-old, who played 13 games this season after suffering a torn quad tendon during the 2018-2019 season, missed about a full calendar year.
Oladipo’s trainer said that the two-time All-Star is “in the best shape he’s ever been”, but they were concerned about him suffering another injury due to the shortened ramp-up period before the eight “seeding games” and playoffs.
The Pacers will now be allowed to sign a substitute player to replace Oladipo for the rest of the season.
