Indiana Pacers shooting guard Victor Oladipo entered Saturday with a sore right knee and was questionable to play against the Atlanta Hawks. The 26-year-old warmed up before the game and suited up, only to leave after playing just five minutes.

In 15 games this season, Victor Oladipo is averaging 22.7 points, 6.9 rebounds, and 4.9 assists while shooting 44.2 percent from the field, 34.5 percent from beyond the arc, and 70.3 percent from the free-throw line.

The Pacers probably should have played this a little smarter. If Oladipo was having discomfort already, they shouldn't have let him play in the first place. Now obviously Victor Oladipo is a competitor and knows his body better than anyone. If he thought he was going to be healthy enough to play, you have to take his word.

However, the fact that Victor Oladipo exited after just five minutes has to indicate that the All-Star guard was pushing himself to play. We are still so early in the NBA season. Oladipo is the best player on the Pacers and he's vital to their success. There is no reason to risk playing him in an early regular season game.

Victor Oladipo was acquired by the Pacers from the Oklahoma City Thunder in the Paul George trade. As the main option on offense in Indiana last season, Oladipo averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc. He won the 2017-18 Most Improved Player of the Year award.