Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic has missed the Magic’s last four games with an Achilles injury and according to John Denton of OrlandoMagic.com, he will not play in the last three games either.
Vucevic, who has missed the past 4 games with a sore Achilles' tendon, won't play in final 3 games as #Magic play it safe with his injury.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 13, 2014
#Magic C Nik Vucevic (sore Achilles) won't play tonight or in the final 2 games, but he's still getting in a workout. pic.twitter.com/yeY6KzLoYO
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 13, 2014
JVaughn on Vooch:"I’d be sick to my stomach if he wasn't 100% w/ his Achilles & that triggered some other part getting hurt. We’ll be wise"
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) April 13, 2014
Vucevic had an excellent season, averaging 14.2 points, 11.0 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.1 steals per game.
As head coach Jacque Vaughn pointed out, why risk further injury to the talented 23-year old, especially when there is really nothing to play for?
Plus, the Magic aren’t particularly interested in winning and it is in their best interest to lose their final three games so the Boston Celtics and Utah Jazz can’t catch them int he race for the league’s third-worst record.
Dewayne Dedmon will continue to start in Vucevic’s place.