New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is out indefinitely after suffering a significant low left ankle sprain against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
This is just the latest setback for the Pelicans, who have started the season 5-19 and sit at last place in the Western Conference standings. Pelicans forward Zion Williamson hasn’t played since Nov. 6 due to a hamstring injury. Guard Dejounte Murray, New Orleans’ big offseason acquisition, missed 17 games in October and November after fracturing his hand in the season opener.
For readers at this site, Ingram’s injury is most relevant in relation to the Portland Trail Blazers because of New Orleans’ place at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. The Pelicans have been an unexpected challenger in the Great Tank Race for next summer’s NBA Draft and the presumed top prize, Duke freshman Cooper Flagg. Ingram’s injury and uncertain status going forward could mean the Pelicans are here to stay as one of the NBA’s worst teams.
Ingram has averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 18 appearances this season.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Orlando Magic are dealing with their own injury woes. Magic forward Franz Wagner is out indefinitely due to a torn right oblique, Charania reported Saturday.
Wagner sustained the injury against the Philadelphia 76ers Friday and is slated to be reevaluated in four weeks.
Orlando star Paolo Banchero is also out with a torn oblique. Banchero hasn’t played since Oct. 30.
Despite the injury problems, Orlando is 16-9 on the season, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference.