There he was watching his team pull out a 97-94 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday. He was happy for his team to be back in Indy following a three-game road trip, and elated to be courtside for their afternoon game.
Glenn Robinson III, who underwent left ankle surgery two weeks ago, traded in a uniform for a maroon sportcoat and wore a black boot on his left foot rather than a customized Li-Ning sneaker. But there he was beside the bench.
After the game, GRIII was delivered the game ball by Oladipo, who nailed the go-ahead fadeaway 3-pointer with 10.1 seconds left from the left side — over 6-foot-11 LaMarcus Aldridge.
“Glenn deserves it,” Oladipo (23 points) told Jeremiah Johnson of FOX Sports Indiana during the on-court postgame interview.
“Glenn has been fighting through adversity, he has been working really hard. When he got hurt, I told him, ‘A setback is a set for a major comeback. And anything is possible.’ I’m living proof of it, and so is he. He deserves it more than anybody.”
We brothers! We got eachothers back @VicOladipo https://t.co/1pA6rnuea0
— Glenn Robinson III (@GRIII) October 29, 2017
As Paul George did in 2014 after suffering a gruesome leg injury, GRIII unofficially became a media relations intern on David Benner’s staff. That meant he sat at the end of the scorer’s table, protecting his injured foot from the fast pace and high-flying game.
We have added a new intern to our staff. Hate getting them through injury but glad to have @GRIII volunteer to help. pic.twitter.com/Yls8M779kG
— David Benner (@PacersDMB) October 29, 2017
For a group that has only been together for a couple of months, this was a cool moment between new teammates … and just six games into the 2017-18 season.
Oladipo hits the game-winner, gives the game ball to GRIII. #Pacers pic.twitter.com/3VBgpdqkIz
— FOX Sports Indiana (@FSIndiana) October 29, 2017
Oladipo on hitting game-winner, playing in Indiana: “Everything happens for a reason. I feel like I belong here.” #Pacers pic.twitter.com/omd7WyIiNW
— FOX Sports Indiana (@FSIndiana) October 29, 2017