What Victor Oladipo had to say after reflecting on events that altered his career in Indy

INDIANAPOLIS -- About two hours have passed since the Miami Heat defeated the Indiana Pacers in a hard fought 87-82 game Monday night at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

Victor Oladipo's teammates have showered and fulfilled their media obligations. The first bus carrying Heat players has already left the stadium, likely headed to a local steakhouse before travel for Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder begins.

Back on the Gainbridge court, sitting under the hoop on the visitor-bench side is Oladipo. He's silent, soaking in the moment, reflecting on the events that altered the course of his career forever.

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Nearly three years ago, Oladipo ruptured the quad tendon in his right knee while playing for the Pacers. The injury was rare and the recovery grueling. The two-time All-Star returned 11 months later, playing 19 games in the 2019-20 season at less than his All-Star level.

In January of 2021, the Pacers traded Oladipo to the Houston Rockets. Oladipo appeared in 21 games with Houston before getting traded to Miami. The entire time, his surgically-repaired knee never felt right. An awkward landing in April led to a second surgery on his knee. Oladipo returned last March, playing throughout the Heat's run to the Eastern Conference Finals.

The dynamic guard missed the first 25 games of this season dealing with knee tendonosis -- "a chronic condition characterized by the degeneration of collagen in the tendons" -- in his non-surgically repaired knee. The injury forced Oladipo to miss Miami's Nov. 4 game in Indiana, but Monday, Oladipo finally returned to Gainbrige (formerly Bankers Life) to face the Pacers, his first game at the arena since Jan. 11, 2021.

"Just understanding that my story and my journey is bigger than myself," Oladipo said of his time on the court postgame. "When I fell there, however many years ago it was, I didn't necessarily know what the future held. But I'm still fighting, I'm still going today. My journey, my purpose is not done."

Oladipo joined the Pacers along with center Domantas Sabonis in a trade for Paul George with the Oklahoma City Thunder after the 2017 season. His game progressed rapidly under head coach Nate McMillan earning him Most Improved Player, All Defensive First Team and All-NBA Third Team honors in his first season with the Pacers.

The Maryland native is charismatic, energetic and had a flare for the dramatic. The No. 2 overall pick of the 2013 Draft was a star at IU and quickly became a fan favorite back in the Hoosier State.

A pregame video tribute Monday showed iconic moments in Oladipo's career: A game-tying 3-pointer against the Chicago Bulls in his first game back post-knee injury. Donning the Black Panther mask during the 2018 Slam Dunk contest. Serving turkey during a Thanksgiving charity event.

Oladipo made a positive impact during his time with the Pacers and the Gainbridge Fieldhouse crowd welcomed him with warm applause when the video concluded.

"It just brought back some memories," Oladipo said. "It definitely was good to remember for a second."

In his first visit to Indianapolis as a visitor since 2017, Oladipo is no longer the high-usage player he was with the Pacers. The 6-4 guard came off the bench against the Pacers, playing 15 minutes, scoring five points with four assists and four rebounds.

"I didn't notice too much (emotion) from him," Miami Heat All-Star guard Jimmy Butler said of Oladipo's return to Indy. "He's calm. He's a pro's pro. He realizes the level of basketball that he can play, whether it's starting or coming off the bench. So he was just out there hooping, doing what Vic does. I love him for that. We love him for that.

"He don't let none of that stuff cloud him in any way, shape or form. His goal is still to win. So I'm glad he could go out there and get a couple buckets too."

Oladipo operated as the backup point guard to starter Kyle Lowry. No longer the offensive focal point, Oladipo spent most of his possessions posted on the perimeter, waiting for catch-and-shoot opportunities from teammates. He didn't touch the ball until his third possession of the game. He didn't record a stat until he stole the ball from Buddy Hield and passed ahead to Lowry for an easy layup.

There were flashes of his former, pre-injury self. Oladipo setup Tyler Herro for a 3 with a pinpoint cross-court pass in the third quarter. Two possessions later, Oladipo put guard T.J. McConnell on skates, using a crossover to set up a stepback 3-pointer.

"I've done that my whole career," Oladipo said of his playmaking ability. "I can do a little bit of everything, that's what makes me special. I just go out there, play as hard as I can, make the right play and I can live with the results."

Playing in just his fourth game this season, Oladipo showed signs of rust as well. With the third-quarter clock winding down, Oladipo was isolated against Aaron Nesmith at the top of the key. Oladipo sized up Nesmith, dribbled between his legs and bounced the ball off himself, turning the ball over.

Oladipo has fond memories of his time with the Pacers, but his tenure ended acrimoniously. IndyStar reported that the Pacers were ready to offer Oladipo a four-year, $112-million contract extension when his current deal ran out at the end of that season, despite his injury history. Oladipo eventually made it clear he was looking to move on from the Pacers and the team traded him to Houston for Caris LeVert.

Oladipo signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Heat this offseason, but he denied ever being offered the nine-figure deal from Indiana. Whatever his contract situation was or wasn't, Oladipo said he's only concerned about what's ahead for him.

"I'm just focusing on the present day and the future," Oladipo said. "There's so many things that went into the past that I personally feel like was not true. But there's no point in dwelling on it. The Pacers are doing great now. They have great talent. They got great young players.

"Me, I'm in Miami now. ... Everyone has moved on. There's no need to dwell on the past. You can't go back and you can't change it. But at the end of the day, I have no control over what people write about me, what people say and if people believe it or not."

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Victor Oladipo reflects on journey with return vs. Pacers