Pacers star Oladipo scrimmages for first time since injury

It's a dose of good news that the Indiana Pacers could really use and it centers around their best player.

That's because shooting guard Victor Oladipo scrimmaged with the team for the first time since rupturing a quad tendon in the middle of last season.

“I felt good,” Oladipo told reporters. “I ain’t played in nine, nine and a half months, so it felt pretty good. It felt good just being out there and making a pass, shooting a jumper, shooting a floater, layup, something. It feels like I never left at all, honestly, but I’m just taking my time.”

Oladipo appeared in just 36 games last season. The year before that, he averaged a career-high 23.1 points in 75 games.

As is typically the case under coach Nate McMillan, the Pacers showed plenty of resolve. But Oladipo remains their brightest hope.

“You can’t really simulate playing,” Oladipo said. “No matter how hard you try, no matter if you imagine it, dream about it, you got to go out there and actually do it — and then your body will adapt.

"My wind is actually really good. Probably the hardest part is not doing too much. Everything else will come. I’ve been out for nine months, so you’re not going to see any ounce of frustration on my face. S–t, I’m just happy I can play again.”

Oladipo intends to travel to most of the Pacers' road games as he recovers.