This one actually isn’t about Zion Williamson’s injury history. Instead, it’s about one-time All-Star Brandon Ingram, who played just 45 games for the New Orleans Pelicans last season.
Like Williamson, Ingram has never played 82 games in a regular season, except the former No. 2 overall pick has been in the league for three more seasons than his peer. In fact, each year Ingram has been in New Orleans, he’s continued to play fewer games than the season before, peaking with 61 appearances in his lone All-Star season in 2020.
Most recently, Ingram battled a toe contusion that caused him to miss 29 consecutive games from November 28 to January 24. He reportedly kicked the back of a Memphis Grizzlies player’s foot, yet the team still initially listed Ingram as day-to-day.
According to Christan Clark of Nola.com, there was “significant frustration” within the Pelicans’ organization about their second-leading scorer’s absence. Others felt Ingram was able to play on his toe without needing any more time off.
But it wasn’t just this past season. Clark notes Ingram has “sometimes seemed unwilling to play through minor discomfort”, leading to other teammates “becoming frustrated” with him over the past two seasons.
- Brandon Ingram’s stats last season: 24.7 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 5.8 APG, 39% 3PT
Considering the Pelicans were once in first place of the Western Conference, Ingram’s absence played a huge role in their freefall down the standings, where they’d finish ninth in the conference and on the outside looking in when it came to the playoffs.
When available, Ingram was a key factor in the Pelicans’ success. So it’s no surprise the team struggled without him with Williamson also being out of action due to injury. As they say, winning cures all ills, and based on the Pels’ season, losing also takes a toll.
Related: Zion Williamson became unwilling to work with New Orleans Pelicans’ VP of player care