The New Orleans Pelicans received devastating news on Sunday as star forward Brandon Ingram was diagnosed with a high-grade low left ankle sprain, sidelining him indefinitely. Ingram sustained the injury during Saturday night’s 119-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder after landing awkwardly on Lu Dort‘s foot during a jump shot attempt.
The 27-year-old was helped off the floor and later seen leaving the arena in a boot and crutches. With Ingram averaging 22.2 points per game, his absence delivers a significant blow to a team already battling injuries and struggling to find consistency.
This marks another chapter in the Pelicans’ frustrating injury narrative. The team has yet to see its core trio of Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Dejounte Murray share the court this season. Despite snapping a nine-game losing streak with a thrilling win over the Suns just days earlier, the Pelicans (5-19) find themselves anchored at the bottom of the Western Conference.
Ingram’s recent return after missing five games due to right plantaris tendonitis had briefly reignited hope for a turnaround. Now, New Orleans faces the daunting task of staying competitive without their offensive cornerstone.
The long-term implications of Ingram’s absence could stretch beyond the current season. With his contract situation looming and the Pelicans failing to build a consistent winning culture, Ingram’s future in New Orleans remains uncertain. Questions around whether the organization should explore a trade or double down on retaining him are likely to intensify.
For now, the focus shifts to navigating a brutal stretch of the season, relying on depth pieces to fill the void and maintaining optimism that brighter days lie ahead. With Zion Williamson and other key players also battling injuries, the Pelicans must rally to salvage a season riddled with setbacks.
