Brandon Ingram has averaged 24.9 points in nine career games against the Los Angeles Lakers, his highest scoring production vs. any opponent by a significant margin, but the 2020 All-Star forward won't have the opportunity to add to that tally next week. After Thursday’s practice, New Orleans head coach Willie Green told local media members that Ingram will not be traveling with the Pelicans on their three-game Pacific Division road trip to Phoenix and Los Angeles (the latter for separate games vs. the Clippers and Lakers on Sunday and Wednesday).
“He’s just at the beginning phases of (concussion protocols) and trying to go through it,” Green said. “He’s not well enough to come to practice and things like that at the moment. He’s still getting better, just not well enough to practice and travel.”
Meanwhile, Zion Williamson (hip, low back contusion) and Herb Jones (knee) participated in a portion of Thursday’s practice. Green said Williamson and Jones will be listed as questionable for Friday’s game at Phoenix.
Willie Green gives injury updates, talks Trey Murphy | New Orleans Pelicans
Other notes from Thursday’s practice:
Jones on his status for Friday’s game in Arizona: “I’m going to try to go shoot when we get to Phoenix (Thursday afternoon) to see how it feels, then go through shootaround (Friday morning at Footprint Center) to see how it feels.” Jones noted that after watching video of the play vs. Dallas in which he hyperextended his right knee, he felt fortunate the injury did not make a greater negative impact. “(Pelicans training staff) told me I dodged a bullet,” Jones said. “I’m thankful for the bullet I dodged.” …
Herbert Jones on his injury, Dyson Daniels | New Orleans Pelicans
Green on how New Orleans (3-1) will proceed while playing without Ingram and potentially other starters against the Suns: “The plan is to use our depth. We were able to see it against Dallas. We were able to play a pretty solid all-around game. We executed on both ends of the floor. Fortunately for us, we have a team that can throw different lineups out there, different groups. Guys have been playing well together. A lot of our young guys played last season. They have the kind of experience where they can get on the floor and the level of play doesn’t go down.”