A return date is drawing closer, but Quincy Pondexter has suffered plenty of setbacks

Last season, Quincy Pondexter started the final 28 games of the regular season for the Pelicans. Coincidentally, New Orleans enjoyed their best run of the season, an 18-10 mark that resulted in a playoff berth on the final day of the 2014-15 regular season.

This year's squad is off to a dismal start, and many who remain with playoff aspirations, think Pondexter might be the key. Well, for the first time since last May, Pondexter participated in 5-on-5 basketball work.

Pels' Quincy Pondexter scrimmaged for the first time in 5-on-5 work on Tuesday since undergoing knee surgery in May. No timetable on return

— John Reid (@JohnReid64) December 22, 2015

This should equate to good news, and to some degree it is; however, notice that restrictions remain, and worse Q-Pon's return date is still on the fuzzy side.

Clarifying on Pondexter, Gentry says he did everything today, just in limited minutes. No date yet for return to games.

— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) December 22, 2015

Back at the start of September, we asked how many were concerned about Pondexter's status. The vote was split nearly 50/50. Have to believe those numbers would have a far different result today, especially with Q-Pon having suffered multiple setbacks since that time.

Pondexter says he’s had "a million different dates" for returning to the court: "I know I've gotten my hopes up and I've been let down."

— Brett Dawson (@BDawsonWrites) December 22, 2015

Remember all the positive Vine video's from spectators to practices or posts from Pondexter's Twitter account? They've all come and gone and now we know why. If Q-Pon has been told a number of different dates, that's because his knee has responded well to the rehab work at times. As fans familiar with this franchise know, setbacks normally don't make news; thus, it's no surprise Pondexter has yet to suit up in a jersey despite the fact a new year is almost upon us.