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LOS ANGELES – After dropping two straight games to the Sacramento Kings and L.A. Clippers following the loss of LeBron James to a groin injury, the Los Angeles Lakers were able to bounce back on Sunday night at the Staples Center.
De'Aaron Fox and the Kings came into Sunday's game still full confidence after having beaten their division rivals at the buzzer in Sacramento on Thursday. Fox and company have played better than expected this season and wanted to prove they could beat Luke Walton's squad for a second straight time.
Unfortunately for Sacramento, the Lakers came prepared to avenge their last-second loss to the Kings and proved it with an impressive all-around performance from Brandon Ingram. The Duke product put all his of skills on display on Sunday with by filling up the stat sheet. Ingram finished with 21 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, two blocks, and a steal.
Kyle Kuzma was one of a few of Ingram's teammates to praise him for an impressive all-around effort against the Kings.
“He did a great job of facilitating,” Kuzma said of Ingram. “Find that balance of driving. Not settling for mid-range jump shots and getting to that rim and kicking out for three-point shooters. This is one of his better games of the year from the point of getting everybody involved. He always does it on both ends.”
Lonzo Ball believed that the team's defense had a lot to do with the win over Sacramento, but thinks Ingram managing the game was crucial as well.
“Defense was a big part, but I think Brandon Ingram did a great job controlling the game,” Ball said. “Getting to the spots, he wanted to get to, and KCP had a big night for us. Josh Hart as well.”
Ball emphasized the reasoning for Ingram's impressive play on Sunday was the pace he was dictating while playing the point guard position.
“He's very good at playing at his own pace, and tonight he didn't get sped up at all,” Ball said of Ingram. “Like I said, he got to his spots and when he does that he's very difficult to guard because he's big, especially playing point guard. Getting in the lane. Knows how to pass. He did his thing tonight.”
Although Ingram was crucial to the team's success on Sunday, he has struggled at times this season leaving some to wonder whether he'll reach his true potential while playing in Los Angeles.
Ingram is currently averaging 16.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game while shooting 47.4 percent from the floor and 31.4 percent from beyond the arc.
