By now all hopes were pinned against the shocker of the day, New Orleans Pelicans’ Brandon Ingram, forward of the Toronto Raptors. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic confirmed that Ingram is now “pain-free” and is moving well, indicating a positive outlook as the team approaches upcoming scrimmages.
Shortly thereafter, Ingram was drafted as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Since then, he has certainly proven himself to be an indispensable league player. He has been an All-Star since the 2019-20 season and has shown a never-before-seen consistency in getting up and producing on the floor. In his 18 games played this season, he averaged 22.2 points. He added 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists, showing off his all-around skills on the court.
Ingram—when healthy—has proven to consistently play games, having played 495 career games up to this point with 456 starts. His tenure averages are 19.5 PPG, 5.2 RPG and 4.3 APG. These statistics illustrate just how much he’s developed as a player during his time in the league. They illustrate just how critical he is to the Raptors’ lineup.
Ingram’s recent contract extension further emphasizes the team’s commitment to him. His new extension carries a value of $120 million across three years, with a player option for the 2027-28 season. This extension befits his standing within the Raptors organization as they look towards continued success down the line.
Rajakovic expressed confidence in Ingram’s recovery, stating, “He’s pain-free, he’s moving well, he got stronger.” As a 27-year-old athlete with substantial experience playing for both the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans, Ingram’s return is anticipated to bolster the Raptors’ performance this season.
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