Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo is choosing to sit out the 2019-20 season restart in Orlando, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Oladipo, who returned from a ruptured quadriceps tendon injury earlier this season, says he wants to continue focusing on his rehab.
"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," Oladipo said, per Charania.
The two-time All-Star played in 13 games before the coronavirus forced a stoppage in play on March 11, averaging 13.8 points and 3.0 assists while shooting 39.1 percent overall. He was working his way into shape after returning from a quad tendon rupture that caused him to miss most of the last two seasons. After stuggling with his shot upon return he had showns signs of rounding into form, scoring a season-high 27 points on the eve of the season's suspension.
Still, Oladipo was not at 100% and believes opting out of the season restart will give him more time to get there, as well prevent the risk of injuring any soft tissues around his quad tendon.
Oladipo still plans to travel to Orlando next week with the rest of his team, per Charania.
The Pacers will enter the restart as the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference, with their first seeding game coming against the No. 6 seed Philadelphia 76ers on Aug. 2.
