One of the few constants for Lonzo Ball during his NBA career has been Brandon Ingram as a teammate. Along with Josh Hart, Ingram has been on the court every step of the way with Ball. And as a fellow No. 2 pick for a storied franchise, Ingram has experienced the same sort of pressure Ball has during his career.
It should come as little surprise, then, that Ingram and Ball have bonded as much off the court as they have on. The surest sign of their friendship in the last year was Ball’s excitement when Ingram was named an All-Star.
Ball and Ingram have also had mirrored breakout seasons on different scales with the latter earning an All-Star bid and the former making his way into the Most Improved Player race. Ball talked about his relationship with Ingram on the court during his media availability on Saturday.
“Both of us are gym rats. We’re very close off the court, which helps as well. Like you said, if I don’t want to go in the gym, he’s going to go in and it’s going to make me go in. Vice versa: if he doesn’t want to and I’m in there, he’s obviously going to come as well too. It’s always nice to have somebody run the same race with you, just supporting each other on and off the floor.”
Ball and Ingram have clearly had positive effects on one another, pushing each other on the court to achieve new heights. Their success on the court together this season has also led to the New Orleans Pelicans becoming one of the most exciting teams in the league and a potential playoff side.
Both also appear willing to commit to the Pelicans long-term. Ingram will be a restricted free agent and Ball will be able to discuss a contract extension ahead of entering restricted free agency in the future as well. It would be no surprise if the two sign matching deals to further stay together on the court and off the future.
