Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo participated in five-on-five for the first time since suffering a torn quadricep tendon on Jan. 23 against the Toronto Raptors.

The Pacers allowed Oladipo to return to half-court five-on-five action and that resembles a strong step forward in his recovery process. He mentioned that it ‘felt good' to be able to participate and he feels like he ‘never left.'

“I hadn't played in 9 1/2 months,” Oladipo said, via the team's official website. “It felt good just being out there. Making a pass, shooting a jumper…shooting a floater, a layup…something. It feels good to be out there. Feels like I never left, honestly.”

The potential timetable for Oladipo's return to game action remains unknown. While he is progressing and is working hard to return as soon as he can, the team is going to be cautious before inserting him back into the lineup.

“You never know,” McMillan said. “I know he's working hard to get himself back. I've been watching him all summer long and I've never seen anyone attack the rehab as hard as he has. He's working extremely hard every day to get back better than he was.”

The expectation is that Oladipo will return to game action sometime around December or January but that he will be under a minutes restriction. There has been skepticism surrounding the expectations for the Pacers this season based on the unknown surrounding Oladipo's potential for impact.

Oladipo played in 36 games last season and averaged 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. He managed to earn an All-Star appearance but was unable to participate as a result of his injury.