The Indiana Pacers plan to take away the minutes limitation on star shooting guard Victor Oladipo, but hope to play it smart by keeping an eye on his physical condition and fatigue.

Head coach Nate McMillan noted Oladipo still won't play in back-to-back games, considering he's returning from a year-long absence due to a knee injury:

Oladipo shot over 50% for the first time this season in a 118-111 win over the Milwaukee Bucks right before hitting the All-Star break. He made five of his seven attempts from the field, putting up 13 points, three rebounds, and four assists in a 118-111 win, which should prove to be a confidence-builder against the league's best overall record.

The 27-year-old has played in seven games upon making his return on Jan. 29, and while he has greatly struggled to regain his explosiveness, aggressiveness, and his defensive mettle, the Pacers clearly feel that turning him loose a little bit could help his progress.

Indiana will need a strong Oladipo to go far in the postseason, and even to make a late-season run for a better seed in the East.

The Pacers had lost six straight games before notching that win before the break, leaving them in sixth place — two games behind an unconvincing Philadelphia 76ers team.

With 27 games left in this campaign, the Pacers will hope Oladipo can return to an All-Star level to make one last push the next two months before it's time to take on the other giants in the East.