Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo has not played since suffering a ruptured quad tendon against the Toronto Raptors last January, but he is on the verge of a return just about one year later.

ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Oladipo is targeting a late-January return:

Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo is hopeful to return to the lineup by early February — and perhaps as soon as late January — from a ruptured right quad tendon, league sources told ESPN.

Oladipo, an All-Star last season, has undergone an arduous rehabilitation program after rupturing the quad tendon 11 months ago. He has been ramping up on-court workouts with the Pacers in recent weeks.

Oladipo was averaging 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists for Indiana prior to the injury last January. The Pacers were 32-15 at the time of his injury, but they stumbled to a 16-19 finish and were swept by the Boston Celtics in the first round of the playoffs.

But this Indiana team looks much stronger. The Pacers improved to 21-10 after beating the Toronto Raptors on Monday, and general manager Kevin Pritchard's offseason additions have already paid major dividends.

Point guard Malcolm Brogdon is averaging 18.3 points, 7.6 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game while T.J. Warren has added a vital scoring presence in the frontcourt. Meanwhile, Domantas Sabonis has improved on his breakout 2018-19 campaign, averaging 17.8 points, 13.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists.

Oladipo's looming return not only gives Indiana one of the best starting backcourts in the league, but should also help the Pacers spread the floor and add some flow and playmaking to their offense.