Brandon Ingram is “pretty close” to making his highly anticipated debut with the Los Angeles Clippers, a declaration that should put the entire league on notice. Dude has been the biggest absence for the team this season, and when he steps on that court, he’s an immediate starter. We’re talking about a game-changer coming back.
The Road Back From The Sidelines
Ingram’s journey back has been a grind, seriously. He’s been recovering from right heel surgery he had all the way back in May. But here’s the kicker: during that procedure, doctors found a partially torn Achilles tendon. Talk about a double whammy, right? He told reporters he didn’t even have a summer to get those crucial 5-on-5 reps in, or really move at all. But now? He’s gaining that confidence, and he’s been on the floor more lately. He also gave a shout-out to his teammates, appreciating how much they’ve stepped up while he’s been out. “I actually want to commend those guys because everybody is in new positions and asked to do more,” Ingram said. “So the guys are trying. They’re playing really, really good defense.”
What Ingram Brings To A Struggling Offense
Let’s be real, the Clippers need Ingram’s offensive firepower BAD. The team’s trying to figure it out on that end of the floor right now. Last season, this guy led Toronto with a massive 21.5 points per game and was third in rebounds with 5.6. He started 77 games for the Raptors, showing that durability and impact. His goal when he returns? “When I come in, I want to play make, make it a little bit easier for guys to catch and shoot, and not have to make so many decisions. And be able to, when it gets down to it, be able to score.” That playmaking vision is huge for a team struggling to find its rhythm. And it doesn’t hurt that he already knows head coach Tyronn Lue and assistant Jeff Van Gundy from playing for Team USA during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The Team’s Early Season Woes and Other Key Returns
The Clippers definitely need a spark. They won their season opener against the Sacramento Kings, which felt great, but then they hit a brick wall, losing seven straight games. Yikes. While Ingram’s return is the headliner, he’s not the only one coming back. He, center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser, and Max Strus were all recalled on November 2nd after participating in a weekend assignment with the team’s G-League affiliate. Konan Niederhäuser is working his way back from right Lisfranc surgery, and Strus was recovering from a partial tear to his right plantar fascia. Strus has already had a “big impact,” making the team better, according to Ingram. Konan Niederhäuser is “coming back soon” too. Ingram believes that once everyone is back, “As a full team, I think we’re gonna mesh well. And we’ll be a little better than we have been. But in these games that we lost, we’ve been right in the game. Just fix a few mistakes and we can win those games.”
The Clippers will host the New Orleans Pelicans on November 8th. You gotta wonder if this is the game where they start turning things around, especially with Ingram so close. Fixing those “few mistakes” could mean the difference between a tough start and getting back on track.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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