New Orleans' ever-frustrating and complicated relationship with foot injuries might finally be coming to an end this week. Fingers crossed.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green said following Monday's practice that star forward Brandon Ingram participated in 5-on-5 drills this week and he's expected to return to the floor by the end of the upcoming homestand. The Pelicans host the Nuggets on Tuesday, the Timberwolves on Wednesday and the Wizards on Saturday.
Ingram has not appeared in a basketball game since late-November as he's been recovering from what the team has described as a toe contusion. His status has appeared to be up in the air for several weeks.
Ingram told reporters after Monday's practice that he didn't anticipate such a long absence when he initially went out with the injury.
"It’s a little bit of confusion, a lot of patience in this process of trying to get back to 100%," Ingram said, "where I can really push off and be who I am. I didn’t think it would take this long, but I had to listen to my body before I got back on the floor.”
The Pelicans were able to tread water early on despite his absence, but have fallen on difficult times over the past month with fellow star Zion Williamson also sidelined with a hamstring injury. Williamson is expected to get imaging tests done this week, which will help indicate a return timeline. He's averaged 26 points, 7 rebounds and 4.6 assists in a bounce-back campaign after missing the entirety of his third NBA season. Fellow wing Naji Marshall is also currently dealing with a toe injury.
Ingram was off to a hot start prior to the injury, averaging 20.1 points, 5.1 rebonds and 4.7 assists.
Since starting the season 23-13 they have stumbled to 26-21, riding a four-game losing streak and suffering losses in nine of their past 12 games.
Despite that skid as of Monday the Pelicans still sat at No. 4 in the Western conference, 1.5 games up on the Mavericks in 5th, and 2.5 games ahead of the Suns in 7th. Teams seeded 6th or higher qualify for the first round of the playoffs without having to participate in the annual play-in tournament.
Ingram's injury saga also marks the latest frustrating foot drama in New Orleans sports. As stated previously, Williamson missed the entirety of the 2021-'22 season with a protracted foot issue. On the Saints' side, foot and toe injuries had as big a factor in shaping a 7-10 season as any other. Michael Thomas only played in 3 games before a toe injury ended his season. Rookie Trevor Penning had a toe injury derail a highly anticipated rookie debut, and his season ended with a Lisfranc injury that required surgery. Several others also suffered foot issues throughout the season.
If Ingram can finally kick his foot injury, perhaps it'll mark a step in the right direction.
