Two-time NBA All-Star Victor Oladipo last played an NBA game on January 23rd, 2019, when he suffered a devasating ruptured quad tendon in his right knee that ruined the Pacers’ hopes of a deep playoff run and has left one of the NBA’s best guards on the sideline for nearly a year. After surgery, Oladipo vowed to be “back better than ever” the following season, and on Wednesday, Oladipo revealed his long-awaited return date.
Oladipo told Stadium’s Shams Charania that he plans to return to the court on January 29th for a home game against the Chicago Bulls. Oladipo said he feels stronger than ever, and that the process of rehabbing for such a long period has left him feeling like nothing can phase him moving forward.
Pacers star Victor Oladipo tells @Stadium he plans to make season debut on Jan. 29 against Chicago and discusses emotions returning from yearlong absence after torn quad tendon in knee. Stay tuned for my full sitdown. pic.twitter.com/lmzwsKmwav
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 8, 2020
“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. To actually have something, a goal to look forward to is pretty astronomic for me in this process. I’m way stronger now than I was before, especially mentally. I just feel like nothing can phase me, I’ve been through the worst. My better days lie ahead.”
Oladipo is seemingly returning at a perfect time for the Pacers, who are sixth in the Eastern Conference, comfortably ahead of the seventh-place Magic, and only 3.5 games behind the second-place Celtics. Oladipo will have a full two-and-a-half months to improve his game conditioning and regain his rhythm, and if he can be an impact player down the stretch, the Pacers could potentially be hosting a playoff series in April.
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