Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram thriving in point-forward role

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Josh Jackson
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 06: Josh Jackson /
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The Los Angeles Lakers are riding a three-game winning streak, and one of the reasons why is the play of Brandon Ingram.

After losing two straight games on their five-game road trip, the Los Angeles Lakers made some changes. Instead of starting Tyler Ennis at point guard, the Luke Walton decided to insert Josh Hart into the starting lineup.

While Hart is a guard, he is a shooting guard and not a point guard. This left a void in the point guard role, that Walton filled with Brandon Ingram. As a 6’9” forward, having Ingram as the primary ball-handler might seem impossible, but he has thrived in the role.

One of the reasons why the Lakers selected him with the second overall pick was his seemingly unlimited potential. As a player that is nearly seven feet tall, Ingram is currently doing things that few players in the NBA can do.

Since the lineup switch that has resulted in Ingram in the point-forward role, the Lakers have won three straight games, and Ingram has played very well. Starting against the Brooklyn Nets, Ingram was able to total 16 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds, as he nearly got a triple-double.

In the following game, Ingram had another big performance against a tough opponent in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Ingram was able to total 16 points, five rebounds, and five assists. In that win, Ingram also shot the ball very efficiently from the field, as he went 7-for-13.

On Tuesday, the Lakers were able to win their sixth straight game at home, and the play of Ingram certainly helped them achieve that. Against the Suns, Ingram totaled 26 points, five assists, and four rebounds. The Lakers went on to beat the Suns rather easily, as the big second half from Ingram helped them put the Suns away.

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Next up for the Lakers will be another huge game, as they will be facing the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday night. After pulling off a win against the Thunder just less than a week ago, the Thunder will certainly be looking for revenge.