Pelicans Star Brandon Ingram To Miss Two Weeks With Knee Injury

New Orleans Pelicans' forward Brandon Ingram is set to be sidelined for at least two weeks following a left knee injury, casting a shadow over the team's performance as they navigate the latter part of the regular season. The injury occurred during a game against the Orlando Magic on Thursday, with the Pelicans later confirming that Ingram suffered a bone contusion. This diagnosis came after an MRI was conducted, revealing the extent of the damage to Ingram's knee. As a result, he will undergo a re-evaluation in two weeks to determine the progress of his recovery.

Ingram, who plays a pivotal role for the Pelicans as their second-leading scorer with an average of 20.9 points per game, had to leave the court early in the second half during the match against the Magic. Initially feared to have hyperextended his left knee, further tests fortunately ruled out any severe, long-term damage. However, his absence comes at a critical time for the Pelicans, who are striving to secure their position in the Western Conference and avoid falling into the play-in tournament bracket.

The play-in tournament poses an additional hurdle for teams positioned between seventh and tenth place, and with New Orleans currently in fifth place, they are keen to maintain or improve their standing. The team is narrowly ahead of the seventh-place Phoenix Suns by just 1 1/2 games. Ingram's injury could potentially impact their efforts to stay clear of the play-in tournament, especially considering his significant contribution to the team's scoring and overall performance.

Despite this setback, Ingram has had a relatively healthy season compared to the previous two years. The 2019-20 NBA Most Improved Player missed 29 games last season due to a left toe contusion and was limited to 55 games in the 2021-22 season because of various injuries. Nevertheless, he has been on form this season, averaging over 20 points per game for the fifth consecutive season, along with 5.1 rebounds and 5.8 assists over 63 games.

The Pelicans and their fans will undoubtedly be eager for positive news at Ingram's next evaluation. His return would provide a significant boost as they aim to solidify their position in the Western Conference standings before the regular season concludes on April 14.