Brandon Ingram Takes Big Step Towards NBA Return, Clippers Debut

Support Local Media - Click to Add LA Sports Report as a Preferred Source on GoogleThe Los Angeles Clippers assigned forward Brandon Ingram to their G League affiliate as he works his way back from offseason surgery on his Achilles.The Clippers acquired Ingram from the Toronto Raptors in the offseason alongside Gradey Dick, two first-round picks, a first-round pick swap and two second-round picks.Ingram’s nearing return is huge for the Clippers, as they’ve struggled to find offense through the first five games of the season. They currently rank 29th in the league in scoring and attempt the second-fewest shots any team in the league.The 6-foot-8 forward is coming off of a great season with the Raptors, during which he made his second career All-Star Game and averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game. He has averaged more than 20 points per game in each of his last seven seasons, and will be a big contributor in the Clippers’ offense when he returns.Who Has Been Playing in Brandon Ingram’s Place?The Clippers are fairly thin due to numerous injuries prior to the season’s start, but they have a couple of solid options behind Ingram who have filled the role well.Derrick Jones Jr. has started each of the Clippers’ five games this season, and is averaging 12 points and 4.4 rebounds per game on 29 minutes per night.Rui Hachimura and Kobe Sanders are also playing big roles, with the former averaging 10.8 points per game.Who Else is Hurt for the Clippers?Ingram isn’t the only Clipper struggling with injuries, as several other key contributors are out for the time being. Yanic Konan Niederhauser, whose third-year option the Clippers picked up earlier in the week, is also working his way back from injury and could reappear for the Clippers around the same time Ingram does.Bradley Beal is also struggling with a knee injury, and Max Strus is also on the sidelines with a foot injury.With so many of their players on the sidelines with injury, the Clippers have a mountain to climb if they’re to find themselves in the playoff picture come the end of the year. They currently have the second-worst record in the Western Conference, only ranking higher than the Sacramento Kings, who are yet to win a game. They’ll look to turn things around without their injured stars against the Golden State Warriors in Sunday’s game, which tips off at 5:30 p.m. PT.The post Brandon Ingram Takes Big Step Towards NBA Return, Clippers Debut appeared first on LA Sports Report.