Pelicans' Ingram expected to be sidelined at least 2 weeks with knee injury
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) grabs a rebound next to Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, March 16, 2024. Credit: AP/Matthew Hinton
NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Pelicans high-scoring forward Brandon Ingram has a bone bruise in his left knee that is expected to sideline him at least two weeks, the team announced Friday.
Ingram hyper-extended his knee during Thursday night's loss at Orlando and was helped off the court.
He underwent an imaging overnight, after which team doctors determined the extent of the injury.
The prognosis for Ingram, who has averaged 20.9 points this season, leaves open the possibility that he could return before the end of the regular season. The Pelicans (42-27) are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture.
New Orleans entered Friday's action 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for fourth place in the West. The top six teams in each conference advance to the first round of the NBA playoffs, while seeds seven through 10 participate in a play-in to determine the final two spots.
The Pelicans say they expect updates on Ingram's readiness after he is re-evaluated in two weeks.
The Pelicans play at Miami on Friday night and have seven games until the scheduled date of Ingram's re-evaluation.
New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram (14) is defended by Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner (21) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
