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LOS ANGELES — The LA Clippers have been navigating a challenging stretch without several key rotation players, but help is on the horizon. Brandon Ingram is nearing a return to the lineup after being sidelined for nearly six months due to surgery in May to address a bone spur in his heel and a partially torn Achilles tendon.
Ingram, who has been limited throughout training camp, has ramped up his activity in recent weeks and is now participating in three-on-three and full-contact five-on-five drills. "I'm pretty close," Ingram told reporters at a practice over the weekend. "I've been on the floor a little bit. More than I have been in the past. Of course, I didn't have the summer to do five-on-five at all. Moving also. So, you know, I'm gaining that confidence right now."
Despite the progress, Ingram acknowledged there are still hurdles to clear, which will come with more practice time and full-contact runs. "I feel good," he added. "I've been on the floor with the rest of the guys. Doing some three-on-three and five-on-five a little bit. So my body is feeling good. My heel is feeling better. So we're getting closer. No target date, but whenever I feel ready. Still got to do some more five-on-five and get comfortable on the floor. And be comfortable jumping and doing the stuff that I do normally on the floor. So it's going to take a little time, but I'll be ready soon."
The Clippers opened the regular season with a win over the Sacramento Kings but have since dropped seven consecutive games, struggling to close out opponents in the fourth quarter. While the team ranks 10th in the NBA in first-quarter net rating (+6.2), they fall to 18th in the second quarter (-3.8), 21st in the third (-5.9), and 25th in the fourth (-10.9). The hope is that the return of Ingram and Yanic Konan Niederhauser will reduce the burden on the current rotation.
"I actually want to commend those guys because everybody is in new positions and asked to do more," Ingram explained. "So the guys are trying. They're playing really, really good defense and trying to figure it out on the offensive end. Just when I come in, I want to play-make and make it a little bit easier for guys to catch and shoot and not make so many decisions. And be able to, when it gets down to it, be able to score. I just [want to] add what I do well. Come in and try to lead. I'm not the only guy, you know, Max came back and had a big impact on the team. He's made the team better. Yanic is coming back soon. We've got some guys coming back soon. So, you know, as a full team, I think we'll mesh well and we'll be a little better than we have been. But, you know, these games that we've lost, we've been right in the game. Just fix a few mistakes and we can win over here."
Last season with the Toronto Raptors, Ingram averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 3.7 assists while shooting 47.7 percent from the field and 38.2 percent from three. His return should provide immediate relief from a scoring and playmaking standpoint, particularly for Darius Garland and Rui Hachimura, who have shouldered much of the offensive load.
"When BI and Yanic get back, I don't think I'll be getting doubled as much," Garland said after Sunday night's win. "And I think that's a respect thing, but I probably won't get doubled as much."
The NBA season continues as the Clippers face the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night before returning home for an NBA Cup matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday night. LA has a practice day scheduled for Thursday, which could serve as the final tune-up before Ingram is cleared to return.
Key Analysis
Ingram's impending return comes at a critical juncture for the Clippers, who have struggled to maintain leads and close out games. His ability to create offense and take pressure off teammates like Garland and Hachimura could be the spark the team needs to turn its season around. With a full roster, the Clippers hope to mesh and improve upon their early-season struggles.
Originally reported by yahoo.