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Eric WoodyardESPN
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo is still reconsidering his decision to opt out of the NBA’s restart, but coach Nate McMillan expects to see him in the lineup for the team’s first scrimmage this week.
“I do. He’s going through the practices and he’s looking good,” McMillan said. “Our first scrimmage is Thursday and we’ll see how our guys feel and get them minutes accordingly. Right now, there is no restrictions on anyone.”
The Pacers face the Portland Trail Blazers at 3:30 p.m. ET Thursday.
All-Star big man Domantas Sabonis will not play in the scrimmage, per McMillan, but he expects everyone else in the lineup.
Oladipo initially ruled out a return for the NBA restart while continuing to rehab his quadriceps tendon, but the two-time All-Star later said there is a “strong possibility” that could change, though he remained undecided as of July 15. He has been practicing with teammates since they arrived at Walt Disney World Resort.
“At the end of the day, the only thing I’m concerned about is my team, my knee and being able to make sure that I can perform and help them at the highest level possible in this organization right here,” Oladipo said. “So, that’s all I’m focused on. I’m taking it one day at a time, reassessing it every day and from there I’ll make my decision.”
Oladipo and the Pacers seemed to be hitting their stride when the season was suspended, winning six of the last seven games he played in.
That includes Oladipo’s best game, a season-high 27 points against the Boston Celtics in the Pacers’ last game before the season was suspended. His minutes were restricted because he was recovering from injury.
“Back then when I was playing the 13 games I played, I was on restriction, minute restriction. That doesn’t necessarily mean I was healthy,” Oladipo said. “Being on minute restriction, when you’re restricted to do something, does that mean you’re 100 percent healthy? Well, then, if you were 100 percent healthy there would be no restriction, technically … I’m just worried about right now.”