An extremely challenging season for the New Orleans Pelicans continues with yet another injury to a star player. Leading scorer Brandon Ingram will be out indefinitely due to a low left ankle sprain. reports ESPN’s Shams Charania.
Ingram suffered the injury on Saturday during the 119-109 loss to Oklahoma City. During the third quarter, he landed on Lu Dort’s foot while trying to shoot into the lane. Ingram fell on the field in pain and was helped to the locker room by teammates.
Brandon Ingram is injured, seriously injured (health status to be determined later) at possibly the worst time….
Right around trade season with his name as a big figure on the trade block, potentially for an upgrade of star talent for contenders.
Cheeky!pic.twitter.com/54xkOWcXgb
— Ben Sig (@sig_50) December 8, 2024
Ingram just returned to the lineup on Thursday after missing six games due to foot tendinitis. When he left Saturday’s game, Ingram had scored five points with three assists. For the season, he is averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists while shooting 37% on three-pointers.
Ingram’s ankle sprain is the latest injury the Pelicans have dealt with this season.
Zion Williamson played just six games due to a hamstring injury and is expected to be out until mid-December. Trey Murphy III started the season with a strained right hamstring and played in nine games. Dejounte Murray recently returned to the lineup after breaking his left hand in the season opener.
Herbert Jones suffered a right shoulder strain and tore his rotator cuff in early November, while CJ McCollum suffered a right adductor strain, sidelining both players for several weeks.
In the bigger picture for New Orleans. Ingram’s injury could impact the team’s ability to trade him. Ingram is in the final year of his five-year contract and has been unable to reach an agreement on an extension with the Pelicans. Last week he switched agents and signed with Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports Group.
Reports have also suggested that Ingram would prefer to play for a playoff contender. Recent trade rumors have linked him to the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers.
