Despite being out of the playoff race, the Los Angeles Lakers are trending up. The young Western Conference team has won seven of their last 10 games, but what has made their run even more impressive is the fact that they're doing all these amid the absence of small forward Brandon Ingram.
Ingram has missed the Lakers' past handful of games with an injured groin. Los Angeles is missing his production — 16.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game — but the Lakers have been fortunate enough to have heady players that are ready to step up for their fallen teammate such as Isaiah Thomas and Julius Randle, regardless if they arguing about anything or just playing cool alongside each other.
Some positive development comes out of Ingram's camp though, as relayed by Spectrum SportsNet's Mike Bresnahan.
Brandon Ingram is cleared to begin on-court non-contact basketball activities. He is progressing well and his status moving forward will be day-to-day, Lakers say.
Lakers next game after tonight is Monday at Indiana.
Ingram's sudden absence may have had little effect on the Lakers' play, but it could hurt his momentum heading into the final games of the season. Over his past 10 outings, the former second overall pick has averaged 18.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game.
As with teams no longer vying for a postseason spot do to finish off the regular season, the Lakers are trying to maximize their remaining games to further build chemistry among their young stud in Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma, and even Julius Randle despite his uncertain future with the team.
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