The development of Indiana Pacers point guard Malcolm Brogdon likely has fans thirsting for the day when Victor Oladipo joins him in the backcourt.
However, according to Indiana head coach Nate McMillan, that day is not on the horizon. McMillan told reporters on Wednesday that he does not see Oladipo returning “anytime soon.”
McMillan on Oladipo: "Vic is still rehabbing. He’s working hard and I think he’s certainly getting better, getting closer. But he’s still a ways away. The more time he spends rehabbing the closer he gets. But I don’t see him come back anytime in the near future" #Pacers
— J. Michael (@ThisIsJMichael) December 11, 2019
Oladipo has yet to play this season after suffering a ruptured quad in January.
However, the star combo guard has indeed seen a positive increase in activity since October, the first time that he scrimmaged in a five-on-five setting. Oladipo has continued to practice with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the G League (via Tony East of Forbes):
Now it’s December, nearly 11 full months since the injury, and Oladipo continues to get the occasional chance to practice with the Mad Ants. One of those opportunities came earlier this week, which is when the shooting guard provided the most recent update on his rehab status.
“I’m just taking it one day at a time,” said Oladipo to reporters in Fort Wayne on December 4. “It’s been great to come up here and play with these guys.” Does he have a firm timeline for a return to game action? “It’s loose as a goose. When it’s time for me to go out there, I’ll know I’m ready,” the 27-year old said.
Pacers executives and teammates are impressed by Oladipo's progress, but that does not mean they are going to rush his eventual return to the floor.
Indiana has rebounded from a slow start and are 15-9 ahead of their clash with the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night. While they could certainly use Oladipo to put pressure on the teams at the top of the Eastern Conference, they would rather him feel fully healthy for a playoff run.
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