Boy, LeBron James sure is taking a beating against the Pelicans tonight. Earlier in the game, the Los Angeles Lakers star was shoved by center Jaxson Hayes, resulting in a flagrant one call on Hayes. In the second half, James drew another flagrant foul against the Pels, this time from a former teammate of his.

As LeBron James was going up for a basket, ex-Lakers star Brandon Ingram went for a weakside block. Unfortunately, Ingram's swipe missed, and instead hit James in the face. For that foul, Ingram was slapped with a flagrant foul penalty one. (via ClutchPoints)

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This hit was both not as bad as Hayes' initial flagrant and also worse. On one hand, it's clear that Ingram was making a play for the ball against LeBron. It just so happened that he missed and instead smacked the Lakers star on the head. However… it was still a slap to the head while mid-air, which can lead to an extremely dangerous situation.

James and Ingram were former Lakers teammates during the former's first season with the Lakers. Ingram, then an unpolished prospect, struggled to play alongside the superstar. For that reason, he became part of the trade package that sent him to New Orleans for Anthony Davis.

Since his trade from the Lakers, Ingram has flourished into a star in the league. Now, he figures to be a key piece in NOLA's future alongside CJ McCollum and Zion Williamson. As for James and LA, the trade for Davis worked wonderfully for them, as they won a championship in their first season together.