Oladipo's surgeon 'optimistic' guard can return to full contact by November
Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo could be cleared for full-contact activity by November following surgery on his right quadriceps tendon earlier this month, his surgeon, Dr. Jonathan Glashow, told Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.
Glashow, who did not perform Oladipo's first quadriceps tendon surgery in 2019, said he was surprised the 29-year-old was able to play this season after he saw the shape Oladipo's tendon was in.
"I repaired the quad tendon and did it a little differently than (he had) it done before," Glashow said. "The quad wasn't really hooked up. It was torn, and I reattached it. I was amazed he was playing with what he had.
"I'm very optimistic that I could clear him in six months, by November. I think he's going to play really well again. (The surgery) went extremely well, and it's healing beautifully. I'm confident he'll play next year."
Oladipo reinjured his tendon in just his fourth game with the Miami Heat on April 8. He was eventually ruled out for the rest of the season, though the Heat's announcement did not include a timetable for his return. Miami had only acquired the guard from the Houston Rockets two weeks prior at the trade deadline.
Oladipo first tore his quad on Jan. 23, 2019, as a member of the Indiana Pacers. He missed a year after undergoing surgery, returning midway through the 2019-20 campaign.
The two-time All-Star will become a free agent this offseason following the end of a four-year, $85-million contract he signed with the Pacers in 2017.
Despite hitting the open market, his rehabilitation will be jointly monitored by Glashow and the Heat's medical staff, according to Wojnarowski.
Oladipo averaged 19.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 1.4 steals in 33 games split between three teams this season.