Sources: Pacers fear Oladipo lost for season
Victor Oladipo comes down hard after trying to defend and severely injures his right leg versus the Raptors. (1:20)
A preliminary exam has left the Indiana Pacers fearful that All-Star guard Victor Oladipo suffered a season-ending right knee injury Wednesday night that will require surgery, league sources told ESPN.
Oladipo will undergo an MRI on Thursday in Indianapolis for a full accounting of the damage, the team said.
Victor Oladipo appeared to suffer a right-knee injury during Wednesday’s game against the Raptors, and NBA players immediately showed their support.
Nevertheless, Pacers officials were preparing for the worst: the loss of the franchise’s most important player with the team legitimately competing with the elite of the Eastern Conference.
Oladipo crumbled to the floor in Wednesday night’s home game against Toronto after falling in an attempt to disrupt a pass to the Raptors‘ Pascal Siakam. Oladipo’s leg bent awkwardly on his way to the court.
A Pacers trainer quickly put a towel over the leg, and players from both teams surrounded Oladipo. He gave a thumbs-up as he was carted off the floor on a stretcher, receiving a standing ovation from fans.
Oladipo had transformed the Pacers franchise since his arrival in 2017 from the Oklahoma City Thunder, developing into an All-Star for the first time in the 2017-18 season. He is the Pacers’ leading scorer this season with 19.2 points per game.
Despite losing Oladipo in the second quarter, the Pacers defeated the Raptors 110-106 to move to 32-15 on the season. They’re third in the Eastern Conference.