Victor Oladipo Injury Update: Thunder guard could miss a lot more games

Victor Oladipo, the Oklahoma City Thunder guard, missed his fourth consecutive game Monday with a right wrist sprain and is expected to miss many more games, per reports.

Oladipo, who signed a four-year, $US84 million ($AU 117 million) contract extension last month, injured his wrist during the 110-108 defeat to the Boston Celtics on Dec. 11 when the two-guard took a hard fall during a defensive play. In his absence, the Thunder have been starting sharpshooter Anthony Morrow at the 2 spot.

Billy Donovan, coach of the Thunder, doesn't have a timetable on Oladipo's return and hopes that Morrow can fill the void of the former No.2 draft pick. "(He is) getting better and progressing. (But I) can't do anything with his right hand right now," Donovan said on Monday, via the Oklahoman, after Oladipo went through limited drills and used only his right hand to pass, dribble and shoot.

Victor Oladipo doesn't need surgery

Following Oladipo's MRI, the team confirmed that the defensive-minded guard won't be needing surgery. Donovan breathed a sigh of relief while noting the media of the same. "Based on the MRI he went through, based on our medical team consulting with the doctor, there's no need for surgery. He's got swelling (on his left wrist). He's got discomfort. He has a lack of mobility. He has pain when he's in certain positions.

"My understanding is that if he really forces this thing and tries to come back too fast, it could be something that's going to be prolonged," added Donovan, who took over from Scott Brooks as the Thunder coach at the start of the 2015-16 season.

The duo of Oladipo and Andre Roberson have helped the Thunder emerge as one of the best defensive teams in the league this season. Even though the team misses Kevin Durant's production on offense, they've compensated on the other end of the floor with the addition of Oladipo, who was traded to Oklahoma from Orlando Magic earlier in the summer.

Victor Oladipo, in his fourth season, is averaging 16.1 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.