Oladipo scores 11 in return for Heat: 'That was a great first go-round'

Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo finished with 11 points on 4-of-7 shooting, four assists, one turnover, and a rebound in 15 minutes of action against the Houston Rockets on Monday - his first NBA game since undergoing surgery to repair his right quadriceps tendon in May 2021.

The Heat, who are now only missing veteran forward Markieff Morris, took a 123-106 win.

Oladipo talked postgame about his first taste of NBA action after 11 months.

"I'm still getting stronger. Still getting better. That was a great first go-round, getting my feet wet," Oladipo said postgame, according to ESPN's Andrew Lopez. "But I'm excited and looking forward to the year. Just gotta keep getting better. It's not always going to be perfect, but that's OK."

The Indiana product initially ruptured his right quad in January 2019. He's since struggled to regain his previous All-NBA form.

The 29-year-old made four appearances for the Heat last season, averaging 12 points per game on 37.2% shooting, including 4-of-17 on threes, in just under 28 minutes per contest. He began that campaign with the Indiana Pacers before spending a 20-game midseason stint with the Rockets.

Heat forward P.J. Tucker, who was also Oladipo's teammate in Houston, said it's rewarding to see the veteran healthy again.

"He's been hurt for a couple years now," Tucker said, per Lopez. "I've seen him struggling and going through it. ... It's a beautiful thing to see him back out there."

During his 2017-18 breakout campaign with the Pacers, Oladipo averaged 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and a league-best 2.4 steals per game with 37.1% shooting from long range. He was named the Association's Most Improved Player and earned spots on an All-NBA and All-Defensive team.