Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo's return game against the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday was pretty emotional.
Not only was Oladipo playing in his first basketball game in over a year, but the All-Star hit the game-tying shot with just seconds left in regulation, which helped send the game into overtime, where Indiana wound up winning.
Oladipo cried during his postgame interview because he was thinking about Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gigi, who both tragically passed away on Sunday in a helicopter crash:
Oladipo has been sick for several days. On how he felt after his first game: "I feel good. I ain’t going to lie, I was emotionally and a little physically exhausted after the first game just because a lot went into it."
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) January 31, 2020
Oladipo averaged 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for the Pacers last season before he got hurt. The All-Star guard shot 42.3 percent from the field, 34.3 percent from beyond the arc and 73.0 percent from the free-throw line.
Once Oladipo gets his legs underneath him and develops chemistry with Malcolm Brogdon, Indiana figures to be even more lethal on offense moving forward. Brogdon, when healthy, has been carrying the Pacers on offense sans Oladipo. His job will get a lot easier once Oladipo is playing like the All-Star he is.
It’s going to take time for Oladipo to get his rhythm back. Fortunately for the Pacers, they have other weapons on offense who can do some heavy lifting until Oladipo is ready to put the team back on his shoulders.
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