The Indiana Pacers have been one of the better stories in the league this year, but whatever hope they had at making an Eastern Conference playoff run may have ended tonight. That’s because Victor Oladipo’s knee ended up doing something that knees generally don’t ever do, buckling when Oladipo attempted to plant to break up a lob.
Let's really, really, really, really hope that Vic is alright. Oladipo goes down with an apparent knee injury and it didn't look good. #Pacers pic.twitter.com/CA6LacMo87
— Bally Sports Indiana (@BallySportsIN) January 24, 2019
Not good at all. They immediately called for the team doctor and for paramedics to bring out a stretcher for Oladipo.
Meanwhile, his teammates are surrounding him.
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) January 24, 2019
That a stretcher was immediately called, with Indiana trainers putting a towel over the knee to obscure the view, brought to mind the Paul George injury for many Indiana fans, for obvious and very sad reasons.
Never a good thing when the trainer immediately grabs a towel to cover up an injury.
Vic’s kneecap didn’t look like a kneecap should.
— Caitlin Cooper (@C2_Cooper) January 24, 2019
that towel looks like PG all over you have to be kidding i’m really gonna cry man
— kyle robbins (@kylerrobbins) January 24, 2019
🙏🏾‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️‼️ @VicOladipo
— LeBron James (@KingJames) January 24, 2019
Prayers up VO 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
— Paul George (@Yg_Trece) January 24, 2019
Oladipo eventually waved to the crowd as he was stretchered off the court, slapping a few hands of spectators on his way to the tunnel, but Oladipo is so damn positive all the time that it’s tough to read any possible good news into that interaction.
Pacers star Victor Oladipo is wheeled off in a stretcher after a right knee injury. pic.twitter.com/FKWmlTCXig
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) January 24, 2019
This really sucks, because while Oladipo hadn’t quite found the form he displayed last year (and earlier this season before a left knee bruise sidelined him for a few weeks) he’s still an electrifying player when he’s on, and the league is better with players like that.
