The duo of Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball have had bumpy roads in their respective careers due to injuries. Neither has played a full season with Ingram having been in the league three years and Ball two. Both are rehabilitating injuries that prematurely ended their seasons last year.
Both, though, were also present at the Pelicans’ introductory press conference to announce their host of new acquisitions along with Josh Hart and Derrick Favors. Ball was asked about his injury status and noted that he is close to being able to go full-bore again.
“I”m almost ready to go. Probably another week or two and I’ll be full-fledged. I’m just waiting on that.”
Ingram, meanwhile, is on roughly the same timeline as he nears a return to the court for the first time in over four months.
The injuries have not only sidelined Ingram and Ball during their short careers but has also hampered their trade value. While that, obviously, didn’t stop the Lakers from landing Anthony Davis. Still, the duo’s new general manager, David Griffin, is optimistic about what could be in store for their future.
“Both Lonzo and Brandon have had issues along the way with injuries that I think has somewhat derailed the momentum they would gain early on in their career. They’re so young and they’re so talented. So much was expected and everybody wants it to happen really quickly. We don’t want it to happen quickly. We want it to happen at the right time.”
The pressure will certainly be off in New Orleans. The Pelicans aren’t under nearly the spotlight nor the pressure to win as the Lakers were. As a result, Ingram and Ball won’t feel the pressure to succeed from day one, which could lead to more relaxed situations and better play.
Hopefully, regardless as to how the situation plays out, it will include both Ingram and Ball being healthy for the rest of their careers moving forward.
