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Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram expected back against Thunder

By Nick Ziegler

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers signs an autograph for a fan after the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 11: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers signs an autograph for a fan after the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 11, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Lakers will be playing the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, they are still banged up with injuries to their young stars.

After a nice winning streak, the injury bug has once again caught up with the Los Angeles Lakers. In the final win of their winning streak against the Dallas Mavericks, they lost forward Brandon Ingram to a sprained ankle early on in the game.

Ingram is one of the best scorers on the team, but they were still able to hold on to a road win against a Mavericks team that was playing pretty well at the time. In that win, Lonzo Ball also suffered a knee sprain, and they both missed the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

For the Lakers, playing without two of their starters is too much for the team to overcome. Without Ball this season, the Lakers haven’t won a game, as they lack a solid backup point guard that can run the offense well.

While Jordan Clarkson is a very good sixth man for the Lakers, he and Ball are very different players. Tyler Ennis has seen more minutes with Ball out because he is a more traditional point guard. However, him playing 20 minutes a night is probably not going to result in many wins for the Lakers.

Against the Thunder, the Lakers are expected to have Ingram back in the lineup, however, Ball is not expected to play.

The Lakers will certainly be facing an uphill battle without Ball against the Thunder, as they will have to deal with Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony. The Thunder recently destroyed the Lakers in a game not too long ago and will be looking to do the same.

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Without Ball, the Lakers will be a severe disadvantage once again, as Ennis will likely be starting against Westbrook. While it’s good that the Lakers will have Ingram back, they could have really used both him and Ball in the lineup to have a chance on the road against the Thunder.

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