Victor Oladipo: Indiana's King Returns

371 days. That’s how long it had been since Pacers guard Victor Oladipo had taken the court in a game. After a gruesome and rare knee injury, Oladipo had not been able to play competitive basketball for 371 days. Well, last night, the man that declared about Indianapolis, “This is my city,” returned to an NBA court for the first time. He made his return in front of a sold out crowd that absolutely this man.

Victor Oladipo drives in to the lane for his first bucket back. Photo Courtesy of MYKAL MCELDOWNEY of the INDYSTAR.

With just under six minutes left in the first quarter, Oladipo checked into the game against the Chicago Bulls. The fieldhouse went nuts. Many people were holding up the signs that the Pacers had passed out for the return. More people were yelling and clapping. The man who adopted this city as his own had returned from a heartbreaking injury.

Oladipo started off slow. He fired a three first thing. It was off, but he kept shooting. He drove his way into the lane later in the quarter to hit an off balance floater. He had some amazing passes as well. It included a sweet pocket pass to his best friend, Domantas Sabonis. Through three quarters Oladipo had six points on 1-7 shooting from the field and 4-4 from the free throw line. That 1-7 shooting included being 0-6 from beyond the arc.

The Pacers started to fall apart in the fourth quarter. They were allowing the Bulls to get whatever they wanted, but then the Pacers put the clamps on with 4:11 left in the fourth quarter. The Bulls did not score again during regulation. With nine seconds left in the game the Pacers trailed the Bulls 100-97. The ball was in Oladipo’s hands and he pulled up from beyond 30 feet. The 18,000 fans in Fieldhouse watched that ball in what seemed like slow motion. Then, splash, there was never a doubt. Oladipo hit that three in the face of a Bulls’ defender and sent the Pacers to overtime. The Pacers carried on that momentum and defeated the Bulls 115-106. Oladipo finished the game with nine points, four assists, two rebounds and the biggest shot of the night.

Oladipo is back and Pacer Nation rejoices. It feels like Pacers fans have not loved a player like this since Reggie Miller. Welcome back Victor! We are all excited to watch you play for the rest of this season and for years to come!