Pacers G Victor Oladipo may play against Milwaukee

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH-TV) – After 11 games of sitting on the sidelines, Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo took to the court Tuesday for practice. 

Coach Nate McMillan said, “We went through a practice today, five-on-five scrimmage for about 25 to 30 minutes. Got up and down. We’ll see how he feels tomorrow.” 

Oladipo said, “This is something I really had to be patient with and kind of just let happen. Let my body do the talking. Sometimes your mind is telling you ‘yeah,’ but your body is telling you no.’”

The blue and gold have gone 7-4 in Oladipo’s absence, giving him an opportunity to learn more about his teammates.

“I learned a lot about them. You know, their spots on the floor, where they can be most effective. What they have in them. I feel they’ve done a great job of just playing, going out there and playing for each other,” Oladipo said.

Forward Domantas Sabonis said, “He’s always full of energy, always pushing us. Even if there are times in the game when we are playing bad or something. He is there encouraging us. It’s been great. He keeps us in check.”

For the league’s reigning most-improved player, the battle to get back has not only taken a toll physically, but also mentally.

“There are times where I want to play really bad. So those times are frustrating. But for the most part, I’ve become a mentally strong person over the years. Over the year. I’ve just used it as a learning experience. I learned a lot from sitting out. I learned a lot about my team, my teammates and myself as well. Everything happens for a reason. I’m just trying to make the most of that reason,” Oladipo said.

Still no official word on if Victor will play against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. But if he does, McMillan said, Oladipo will insert him back into the starting lineup.