Heat in ‘information-gathering stage’ with Oladipo’s injury

Despite a dreary 2020-21 season, a Miami Heat fan could’ve felt good about their team’s chances of making a deep playoff run after their trades for Trevor Ariza, Nemanja Bjelica and Victor Oladipo. Oladipo was always the X-factor — if he played up to his All-NBA level from 2018, Miami could have a chance of making it back to the NBA Finals.

And now, the Heat are unsure when Oladipo will play again.

The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson asked Erik Spoelstra whether the former No. 2 overall pick would play this season. Spoelstra declined to answer, saying that he had no new information and that the Heat are still in the “information-gathering stage right now.”

Miami has listed Oladipo as having “right knee soreness.” X-rays were negative, but the Heat have not released results from an MRI he had on Friday. Oladipo sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of Miami’s Thursday night win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

On a more positive night, Spoelstra said that new addition Dewayne Dedmon participated in his first practice with the Heat on Saturday and is available to play tomorrow night. Dedmon will compete with Bjelica and Precious Achiuwa for backup center minutes.