When the Pacers ruled Victor Oladipo out indefinitely a couple weeks ago, it seemed gloomy.
But Indiana weathered the storm, going 7-4 without its best player.
Now, Oladipo is back. He started against the Bucks tonight.
I still think the Raptors, Celtics, 76ers and Bucks will comprise the Eastern Conference’s top tier by the end of the season. But the Pacers (17-10, fourth in East) have a chance to crash the party. They acquitted themselves well without Oladipo, and it should get only easier with their offensive focal point/top perimeter defender.
