By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Miami Heat awaiting tests to determine the status of Victor Oladipo leaves a sour taste to the comfortable win against the Milwaukee Bucks in the latest edition of NBA Saturdays.
Oladipo, 30, exited Game 3 after hurting his left knee in the fourth quarter. He waved off the stretcher but was helped off the court. The Heat did not release an immediate update but planned further examination Sunday.
“Once the stretcher was out there, he was like, ‘I’m not getting on that thing,’” described Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, “So, we’ll just have to see. I feel like throwing up right now, but I don’t know what the prognosis is. I’m going to stay positive and we’ll just see what happens after we scan him tomorrow.”
Another setback to an injury-riddled career would certainly be tough for the two-time NBA All-Star. Helping his side take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series, he put in eight points, two steals, two rebounds, one assist, and one block in 19 minutes before the most recent injury.
An early exit for Jimmy Butler after his 30 points set up the 2-1 lead for the Heat. Despite a bruised glute, he could have checked back in, if necessary.
“He went back to the locker room and said, ‘Hey, just give me a couple minutes, I’ll be ready to go,’” said Spoelstra, “I was going to insert him back into the game if it broke 15, but the second unit all night long gave us a tremendous boost.”
Injured in Game 1 of the series versus the Bucks, Tyler Herro had surgery on his right hand and is expected to miss around six weeks. Serbian Nikola Jovic has been sidelined with back spasms for several months.
With the series staying in Kaseya Center, Game 4 is scheduled for Monday.
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