The Indiana Pacers can look forward to welcoming back their franchise player Victor Oladipo anytime soon, most likely in the regular season. The All-Star has confirmed he'll be back on the court in the season but declined to provide an exact date for his return, certainly awaited by Pacers supporters.
The point guard ruptured his right quad tendon in a game against the Toronto Raptors in January and has been sidelined since. Oladipo recently revealed that he is healing fast and can possibly see some actions in the months to come.
However, Oladipo hinted that his comeback could happen as early as the regular season or in the postseason. He estimated that his path to full recovery is now between 75 and 80 percent, or even higher.
"I plan on coming back this year at some point... We'll see...I'm not sure, probably around there (75-80 percent), maybe a little more, we'll see," Oladipo said in a recent interview, and according to Clutch Points.
The Pacers star indicated that his mind tells him he's quite to play hoops after nearly a year of vacation but he made that what his body signals would be more important. Once he is fully healed, he is sure to suit up and play.
"I think the biggest thing is just with this injury, because it's so unique, you gotta listen to your body more than you listen to your mind," the All-Star explained.
In any case, The Ringer reported that Oladipo has commenced on the practicing routines but the Pacers have not set the specific date for the star's return to active play. One thing is sure, he will rejoin a lineup that underwent an overhaul in his absence.
One of the new additions, Malcolm Brogdon, has been playing top-notch basketball in the season and well-supported by secondary scorers in the team. Brogdon is a regular contributor for the Paces on the offensive side, converting in double figures in the games played so far.
In other words, the Pacers made the necessary adjustments when Oladipo got hurt and it proved that the team did the right thing. As far as the Eastern Conference is concerned, Oladipo's team is among the top performers boasting of 16 wins with Brogdon figuring prominently in every game.
It is predicted that things will only get better for the Pacers when Oladipo gets back on the court, doing what he does best.
"Indiana is exceeding all expectations after making big changes this summer, but the team's trajectory could skyrocket even higher once its most familiar face returns to the floor," The Ringer said.
