Pacers Links: Victor Oladipo offers hope for return during Migos intro

At Santa Slam on Sunday night at Indiana Farmers Coliseum, Victor Oladipo took the stage to introduce the headline act, Migos and gave hope to Pacers fans that they would see him on the court soon.

“Shout out to Indy, too. I will be back soon,” Oladipo said.

After missing the last 10 full games (I count 11 since he hardly played against the Hawks), Vic has been frustratingly listed as out indefinitely with knee soreness. The Pacers have survived nicely and with the way the schedule has played out, the team has been able to remain cautious with Oladipo’s status while keeping pace in the Eastern Conference standings.

But this week things pick up with the Wizards, Bucks and 76ers up next. Oladipo is not expected to play against the Wiz who are battling their own issues including an ailing John Wall who is out with a left heel injury. VO returning against the Bucks and/or Sixers would certainly give the Pacers a boost with three of their next five games, starting on Wednesday, against the top three teams in the East.

Check out the links:

Game Preview: Pacers vs Wizards | Indiana Pacers

Pacers’ thriving D centers on Myles Turner

Three things to watch for Wizards at Pacers, including if John Wall and Victor Oladipo will play | NBC Sports Washington

Pacers Finding Strength in Numbers | Indiana Pacers

Migos bring hip-hop professionalism but not much fun to Santa Slam

Daily Digits: The Wizards have a blocking committee - Bullets Forever

‘He’s just as tough as they come’: Domantas Sabonis battles food poisoning to help Pacers win third straight – The Athletic

Pacers still finding ways to win despite Oladipo's absence | FOX Sports

Why the Indiana Pacers should try to trade Darren Collison

Salary cap analysis: How the Wizards got into this cap cataclysm ‒ and how they can get out of it – The Athletic