Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo hoping to return from ruptured quad tendon on Jan. 30

Scott Rafferty

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo hoping to return from ruptured quad tendon on Jan. 30 image

Victor Oladipo's return is near.

In a conversation with Shams Charania of The Athletic, the two-time All-Star revealed that he's planning to make his season debut on Jan. 30, when the Indiana Pacers host the Chicago Bulls.

"That could change, that might not change, who knows, but it's definitely good to have something to look forward to, especially after 12 months of wondering and hoping and not being sure, 12 months of the unknown," Oladipo said. "To actually have something, a goal to look forward to is pretty astronomic for me in this process."

Oladipo has been sidelined since Jan. 23, 2019 with a ruptured quad tendon. He said that his return is going to be a "very, very emotional night."

Oladipo has career averages of 17.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.7 steals per game. He was named a member of the All-NBA Third Team and the All-Defensive First Team for the first time in his career in 2017-18, as well as the league's Most Improved Player.

The Pacers have been competitive without Oladipo this season. Led by Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis, they currently have a 23-14 record, good for the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference.

Oladipo's return has the potential to take the team to another level on both ends of the court.

Scott Rafferty

Scott Rafferty Photo

 

Scott Rafferty is an experienced NBA journalist who first started writing for The Sporting News in 2017. There are few things he appreciates more than a Nikola Jokic no-look pass, Klay Thompson heat check or Giannis Antetokounmpo eurostep. He's a member of the NBA Global team.