In his first game action in 3 1/2 weeks, New Orleans forward Brandon Ingram logged 23 minutes Sunday, a number reflective of his relatively lengthy layoff since a March 21 knee injury at Orlando. Ingram played at least 25 minutes in 61 of his 64 regular season appearances, with one of the exceptions being a season-low 21 when he departed the Magic game early with a left knee bone contusion.
Pelicans third-year head coach Willie Green indicated after Monday’s practice that Ingram will be on the floor more in Tuesday’s Western Conference play-in tournament game vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, a rematch from a 124-108 Pelicans loss.
“I definitely anticipate his minutes going up tomorrow,” Green said, noting that Ingram recovered well physically from his Sunday game. “He was good. Body felt good, so he had a full practice.”
Ingram returned for a game that decided New Orleans’ postseason seeding, after a stretch in which the Pelicans went 7-5 without the eighth-year pro, but just 1-5 in the Smoothie King Center.
“There are some adjustments to it,” Green said of Ingram exiting the lineup, then resuming his starting role Sunday. “We had that home stretch when we really needed him, and we need him at any time. But then you make some adjustments and figure it out without having him, then you get him back and have to make some more adjustments. He’s a huge part of what we do. That’s what we’re doing now, talking about our rotations and getting BI back on the floor, get him up to speed.”
Willie Green on rebounding after loss to Lakers, rematch in play-in game | Pelicans Practice 4/15/24
New Orleans Pelicans head coach Willie Green's post-practice interview from the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Monday, April 15 ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Play-In Tournament during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Trey Murphy III talks upcoming play-in game against Lakers | Pelicans Practice 4/15/24
New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III's post-practice interview from the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Monday, April 15 ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Play-In Tournament during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Larry Nance Jr. talks defensive adjustments, rematch against Lakers | Pelicans Practice 4/15/24
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Larry Nance Jr.'s post-practice interview from the Ochsner Sports Performance Center on Monday, April 15 ahead of their game against the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Play-In Tournament during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Other notes from practice:
Green on the Lakers having the upper hand Sunday in aggressiveness, playing a step faster than the Pelicans: “They had us on our heels all game. Playing with force, playing with speed, physicality. We were lacking in all of those areas, pretty much the whole game.” Added reserve center Larry Nance Jr., “They got wherever they wanted. They didn’t really feel us defensively. I feel like we’ve got to have a more physical presence and make sure they know we’re there.” …
Asked if the Pelicans need to change their pick-and-roll coverage in the rematch vs. the Lakers, Nance said, “You’ll find out tomorrow (during the game).” …
Asked about the team’s overall perspective, Green said, “We had a good regular season. We put ourselves in a really good spot. We’ve got a couple cracks at it (in the play-in tournament), to be a playoff team. We like where we are. That’s what we’re going to focus on. Turning the page, being honest about what happened (in Sunday’s defeat). It was a disappointing loss on our home floor. Now we’ve got to regroup and get back after it.”