An extremely challenging season for the New Orleans Pelicans continues with another injury to a star player. Leading scorer Brandon Ingram will be out indefinitely with a sprained left ankle. reports Shams Charania of ESPN.
Ingram suffered the injury in Saturday’s 119-109 loss to Oklahoma City. During the third quarter, he landed on Lu Dort’s foot while attempting a shot at the line. Ingram fell to the court in pain and was helped to the locker room by his teammates.
Brandon Ingram was injured, seriously injured (health status will be reported later) possibly at the worst time….
Right into trade season with his name prominently on the trade block, potentially for an upgrade to contenders’ star talent.
Brutal!pic.twitter.com/54xkOWcXgb
-Ben Sig (@sig_50) December 8, 2024
Ingram just returned to the lineup Thursday after missing six games with foot tendonitis. By the time 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 sprained ankle is the latest injury the Pelicans have had to deal with this season.
Zion Williamson has only played six games due to a hamstring injury and is expected to be out until mid-December. Trey Murphy III began the season with a right hamstring strain and has played in nine games. Dejounte Murray recently returned to the lineup after fracturing his left hand in the season opener.
Herbert Jones suffered a right shoulder strain and rotator cuff tear in early November and CJ McCollum suffered a right adductor strain, keeping both players out for several weeks.
In the bigger picture of 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 could not reach an agreement with the Pelicans on an extension. Last week he changed agents. signs with Rich Paul’s Klutch Sports Group.
Reports have also suggested that Ingram would prefer to play for a playoff contender. He has been linked to the Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Lakers in recent trade rumors.