It is one of the rare satisfactions of the moment in New Orleans. Brandon Ingram has been boiling hot for some time and has everyone in agreement since his return from injury. And if things are going – a little – better with the Pelicans, it is mainly thanks to him.
We breathe in New Orleans. The Pelicans have passed the crisis episode and are doing a little better. After having chained ten consecutive defeats, dropped their place on the podium of the West and learned that Zion Williamson will not return for three centuries, the birds have found a little smile lately, especially since the return of Brandon Ingram. The winger, absent for a month with a toe injury, has come back very strong and has been unplayable for the past two weeks. It’s simple, over the last five games, the Pelicans have a record of 4 wins and 1 loss, and BI is running at 30 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds over this period. In prime KD style, Ingram releases offensive mixtapes every game and delights all of New Orleans.
He’s doing it again tonight with a… monstrous demo. There’s been Sleep on him, other boys, he’s too confident. Sublime to see, Baby KD. https://t.co/V92nKkDRTc
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) February 14, 2023
Tonight again, the MIP 2020 was very good. Against the Thunder, Kingram did everything in defense of OKC. Mid-range shoot, 3-point, crossover, drive…, 34 points and 4 rebounds, we’ve seen the best of BI and when he’s like that, it’s already easier to win.
Brandon Ingram got hot early and paced the @PelicansNBA to the win with 34 PTS! pic.twitter.com/KiFQkorvnb
— NBA (@NBA) February 14, 2023
Ingram has been riding the right wave for a few meetings. Before OKC, BI had made the Lakers and Hawks its victims. Facing Los Angeles, the winger had 35 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists against his former franchise in a 131-126 victory. And against Atlanta, BI released 30 points and 8 assists. When in addition to being a scorer he is a passer… well, that makes the Pelicans once again a big team in the West.
If New Orleans was once frustrated not to see its All-Star winger when the franchise was in the doldrums, Ingram was able to satisfy with his performances on the field. Willie Green in particular, who welcomed the return to form of his winger. The new recruit Josh Richardson brings in defense, Ingram feasts in attack, to the delight of all his team.
“Brandon has been phenomenal. He can shoot from anywhere on the field. He was patient, he did a great job of finding his teammates. And when you need him, he knows how to put more hoops. In the end, he puts out a big performance and we needed that.” – Willie Green last night after the Pelicans win over OKC
And the main interested party does not ignite. He knows it, the Pels still have a long way to go, to find the place which was theirs at the start of the season.
“We just played together. We have a good group of guys who were good tonight (…) I had a few tricky shots, I just tried to find my spots and do what I know how to do.
No Zion, no problems for New Orleans. When Brandon Ingram goes, everything goes at the Pels. The birds will need it if they want to appear in the postseason, but… in full, finally?
Source texte : NBA, Basketball Reference