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In an unlucky flip of occasions, All-Star ahead Brandon Ingram was helped off the ground after struggling a knee damage throughout the Pelicans’ 121-106 loss to the Magic Thursday night time.
The incident occurred within the third quarter when Orlando guard Jalen Suggs drove to the basket and made contact with Ingram, who crashed to the ground whereas clutching his left knee. It was evident from tv replays that Ingram’s knee appeared to bend at a clumsy angle, inflicting him to grimace in ache for a number of minutes. As he was helped off the ground, Ingram did not put any weight on his left leg.
After the sport, Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced confirmed that his star ahead would endure an MRI to judge the injury to his left knee.
“Our prayers will probably be going up and hopefully we get some excellent news again,” Green told reporters.
The damage could not have come at a worse time for the Pelicans, who’ve been one of many hottest groups within the league for the reason that All-Star break. Going into Thursday’s sport, the Pels had won 16 of their previous 21 games and have been inside putting distance of surpassing the Clippers for the fourth seed out West. Ingram’s premature damage threatens to derail their momentum getting into subsequent month’s playoffs, and doubtlessly trigger them to drop beneath the fifth seed. With 13 video games left within the season, New Orleans is simply two video games forward within the loss column of Sacramento, Phoenix and Dallas, who’re sixth, seventh and eighth, respectively.
On the flip facet, Ingram’s damage may open the door for 23-year-old ahead Trey Murphy III to take the subsequent step in his growth. Murphy, the most probably candidate to exchange Ingram within the beginning unit, has been averaging 16.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists for the reason that All-Star break whereas making a formidable 3.7 threes per sport.
But, Ingram’s potential loss will not be simple to maintain for the Pelicans, who rely closely on the previous Duke product in clutch eventualities of video games. Ingram is averaging 21 factors, 5.8 assists and 5.1 rebounds this season.
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