Victor Oladipo has yet to play a single moment in the NBA playoffs for the Miami Heat. He missed last year's postseason due to a season-ending quadriceps injury and has not played this year, racking up a hat trick of DNP-CDs so far. With Kyle Lowry's injury, that could change.
In Game 3 against the Atlanta Hawks, Lowry suffered a hamstring injury. Although it is not believed to be serious, the 36-year-old will have to take his recovery very cautiously. Oladipo may have to play a key role off the bench to help Miami regain momentum.
Oladipo said that it is always tough to not play but insists that he is ready and will step up in whatever way the Heat need him to, per Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald.
“It’s always tough,” Oladipo said of not playing. “Playoffs, regular season, it’s tough. I want to be out there competing, helping the team win. But at the end of the day, I’m just focused on what I can control and whatever the coaching staff needs me to do to help us win, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Miami has a 2-1 lead over the Hawks after Trae Young's heroics saved Atlanta from the brink of elimination. Losing Lowry's presence will hurt but they have embraced a next-man-up mentality all season and still have the fantastic trio of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro.
In eight games this season, Oladipo averaged 12.4 points while shooting 47.9 percent from the field and 41.7 percent from the 3-point arc. He may not be a hero for the Heat in these NBA playoffs but he can still have a solid impact as a reserve. The Kyle Lowry injury offers the possibility for a Victor Oladipo resurgence.
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