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Los Angeles Lakers: Brandon Ingram moving closer to return

By Kenneth Teape

SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 24: Brandon Ingram #14 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on February 24, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, 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 Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers small forward Brandon Ingram is getting closer to a return to the court.

The Los Angeles Lakers have been without Brandon Ingram for over two weeks now. Ingram suffered what was believed to be a hip flexor injury against the Miami Heat on March 1st. After further examination, it was revealed that the injury was worse than originally thought.

Ingram had actually suffered a strained left groin. As a result, he has been sidelined since that game. The Lakers results have been mixed, at best, without their starting small forward.

In the eight games without Ingram, the team has gone 4-4. They have faced some pretty stiff competition as every team they have faced, except for the Orlando Magic, are playoff contenders.

Making things even more difficult is that the Lakers have also been without shooting guard Josh Hart. Hart fractured his left hand against the Atlanta Hawks on Feb. 26. That was the game before Ingram was injured.

While Hart doesn’t have a timetable for his return, we could see Ingram very soon. According to the team, Ingram is progressing in his recovery and has been upgraded to day-to-day.

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Ingram has been cleared to resume non-contact basketball activities, which is a step in the right direction. Ingram was seen shooting around prior to the Lakers’ game against the Heat on Friday, which is a good sign.

While the Lakers have played pretty well without Ingram, getting him back in the lineup would be a welcome sight.

The Lakers depth on the wing has been tested. With Hart also sidelined, the Lakers are going deep in their depth chart on the wing. Corey Brewer was waived, Jordan Clarkson was traded at the NBA Trade Deadline and Luol Deng remains inactive.

As a result, Lonzo Ball, Isaiah Thomas and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have been relied upon more, while Tyler Ennis and Alex Caruso have also received some minutes. The Lakers could also turn to players on 10-day contracts. Both Travis Wear and Derrick Williams are currently on 10-day deals with the Lakers.

If Ingram is unable to suit up for the game on Monday night against the Indiana Pacers, those players will be pressed into playing time. Monday in Indiana is the first of a four-game road trip for Los Angeles.

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Head coach Luke Walton said that Ingram would be joining the team on the road trip, so there is a good chance that we see him back on the court sometime this week.

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