The Los Angeles Clippers are staring down a rough start to their season. Heading into their opener against the Kings on Wednesday, Oct. 21, a massive five players have already been ruled out. But the biggest blow, the one that really changes the game for them right now, is Brandon Ingram. The dude is dealing with a partially torn Achilles tendon, on top of recovering from right heel surgery back in May, and there is no timetable for his return.
Ingram’s Absence Is a Stinger
This is not just some bench player missing time. Ingram was huge for the Toronto Raptors last season, earning an All-Star nod after starting 77 games. He put up serious numbers, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. He was a potential starter for the Clippers, and more than that, he was one of the primary trade assets the Raptors sent over in the deal for Kawhi Leonard. So yeah, he is a massive piece of their roster.
Losing a player of that caliber, especially one who was literally just a key part of a blockbuster trade, and then having him out indefinitely with a partially torn Achilles? That is brutal. They do not even know when he might be back. That kind of uncertainty can just kill momentum before it even starts.
Five Players Down, One Huge Question Mark
So, five players are sidelined for the opener. That is a significant hit to team depth, but Ingram’s situation adds a whole other layer of worry. This isn’t just about winning or losing one game against the Kings. This is about how the team builds chemistry, how rotations get set, and frankly, how confident they can feel without a major contributor and a potential starter on the court. The Clippers need to find answers, and fast, because the season opener is just the beginning.
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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