Pacers All-Star guard Victor Oladipo plans to make his season debut on Wednesday, Jan. 29, when the Pacers take on the Chicago Bulls at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
It will be Oladipo's first game action since rupturing his right quad tendon on Jan. 23, 2019 against the Toronto Raptors.
"It's been a long 12 months, a long journey, but I've learned a lot about myself and I'm going to continue to keep growing because of it," Oladipo said in a video message to Pacers fans on Wednesday.
"I'm looking forward to getting out there and playing in front of you fans again and playing with my teammates."
Since undergoing season-ending surgery on Jan. 28 of last year, Oladipo has been diligently rehabbing over the past several months. He was cleared to participate in halfcourt five-on-five action on Oct. 18. He has participated in a number of practices over the past few months, both with the Pacers and on assignment with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League, and has not experienced any setbacks in his rehabilitation.
"I've gotten stronger mentally, I believe, and I can't wait to test it in an NBA game," Oladipo said at his last media availability on Dec. 16.
"Certain moments I'm starting to feel like my old self, but it's a process. A peaceful, positive, patient process. That's all I'm focused on."
Oladipo has thrived since being traded to the Pacers in July 2017. In two seasons in Indiana, he has averaged 21.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, and 2.1 steals per game. He was named an All-Star in both 2018 and 2019 and won the NBA's Most Improved Player Award for the 2017-18 season.