NBA: Injured Indiana Pacers star Victor Oladipo hoping to make return against Chicago Bulls in late January

Indianapolis: Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo said Wednesday he hopes to return to game action 29 January against the Chicago Bulls.

At least that’s the tentative plan. It’s the first time since Oladipo sustained a season-ending knee injury last January that the team or the two-time All-Star has established a specific date.

And though Oladipo acknowledges nothing is definite, he’s confident he will be able to play against the Bulls.

The two-time All-Star has spent nearly a year working his way back from a ruptured quad tendon that required season-ending surgery and an extensive rehab program. He’s been working out with the team since training camp last fall.

Indiana expects Oladipo to bring scoring and energy to a lineup that has played better than anticipated without its star player.

President of basketball operations Kevin Pritchard spent the offseason rebuilding the Pacers roster to compensate for what was expected to be a prolonged absence. He acquired guard Malcolm Brogdon in a trade with Milwaukee, small forward TJ Warren from Phoenix, and added free-agent guards Jeremy Lamb and Justin Holiday.

All four have played key roles for a team that started the night sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Oladipo was averaging 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals when he was injured.