Indiana’s Oladipo to skip restart
The Indiana Pacers will finish this season without Victor Oladipo after the two-time all-star decided to sit out because of the risk of re-injuring his right knee.
Earlier this week, Oladipo told reporters he was still debating whether to join his teammates in Orlando.
“We totally respect and understand Victor’s decision to not play in the restart of the NBA’s season,” Pacers president of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard said Friday in a statement. “The first priority for our players is, and always will be, their health, whether that be physical or mental health. Victor has looked great in workouts, but the timing of the restart and lack of 5-on-5 activity makes it difficult to for him to commit to playing at the high level he expects with regards to further injury.”
On Wednesday, coach Nate McMillan said he anticipated having Oladipo in the NBA’s “bubble,” working out with his teammates and a final decision would be made at a later date.
But Oladipo long.
After spending almost a full year rehabbing his right quadriceps tendon, the guard returned to the court Jan. 29.
Oladipo played in 13 games before the season was suspended by the COVID-19 pandemic. He was averaging 13.8 points, 3.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists while shooting 39.1%, and appeared to be rounding into form.
His contract expires after next season.
Heat’s facility closed: The Miami Heat have closed their training facility after a second player tested positive for coronavirus, a source said.
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The Heat will have players at the arena over the coming days to satisfy their NBA-mandated testing requirements but will not reopen the gym for individual workouts before leaving for the Disney complex near Orlando on Wednesday, said the person who spoke on condition of anonymity because no details were announced.
The second player’s identity was not released by the team.
Heat guard Derrick Jones Jr. tested positive for coronavirus last week and has been working through the NBA protocols on a return-to-play plan.
Mavericks sign Burke: The Dallas Mavericks signed guard Trey Burke after center Willie CauleyStein decided not to rejoin the team for the planned resumption of the season.
Cauley-Stein opted out of playing because of the impending birth of his daughter this month.