The sample is small (10 games), but he had never finished a playoff game below the symbolic bar of 10 points. During Game 4 of the playoffs last night against the Thunder, Brandon Ingram experienced his worst ordeal of the series: 8 points (2/14 on shots including 0/3 from distance) in 39 minutes of play.
A poor performance, while his team tried to save its skin, which still bears the mark of Lu Dort, the man who made his life hell throughout the series. The Pelicans winger seemed so disoriented, like the action below, that when access to the basket opened up to him, he preferred to take a ball out towards Naji Marshall (air-ball on the action).
In a press conference after the meeting, the person concerned says he does not want to make excuses, but again implies that he was not at 100% of his physical capabilities. Hit in the knee at the end of March, the former Lakers winger has the feeling of having never been completely himself on a constant basis, only in sequence. “ As one of the leaders of the team, and the best player on the floor most nights, I can't let this happen », he says.
Already in difficulty with Team USA
In these four games his team lost, he was far from being the best player on the floor. He finished his series with a low average of 14 points, half as many as his previous series in 2022 against the Suns, and above all with 34.5% shooting, including 25% from afar. A serious blow which follows an overall season below its usual performances.
“ I'll be honest: from Team USA to this season, this is probably the worst I've had as a Pelicans. », Judges the 26-year-old player who, at the start of this exercise, was coming out of a very inconclusive international experience with Team USA. His observation is verified in the figures: with just under 21 points on average, he had never scored so little since his arrival in Louisiana. An observation to be qualified, however, because he reduced his volume of shots while Zion Williamson played more matches than last season.
“ I could go back and pick on the coaches. I could take it out on everyone but me. But I have to look in the mirror and tell myself what I really need to do. How can I help this team? How can I help coaches? How do we get New Orleans fans to believe in us again? It's my job, my duty. That's what I'm going to think about this summer. I will pull myself together mentally and physically “, he promises.
The latter says he wants to be “ comfortable » when he faces difficulties and having someone around him to push him. “ I don't want a yes-man around me. I want someone to tell me exactly what to do. I just want to go to work and give my best. »
An extension this summer?
And he's not going to find that someone on social media. Brandon Ingram, whose X account has been inactive since 2021, is not one to watch and read the “ written bullshit ” on him. “ No one is more motivated or annoyed than me about where I am. No one has to go home and live with it. »
Live with it, while being aware of your contractual situation. He has one final year of contract left at $36 million. According to ESPN, he is eligible for a four-year, $208 million extension. Will the Pelicans dare to take out the check this summer after its recent performances?
“ That's not what concerns me the most at the moment. This is the place where I got my first appearance in the All-Star Game. It's a place where I'm allowed to be myself. I have good relationships with everyone. But we never know. I'm going to take a few weeks off and think about what's best for me, for my family. Then I will take matters into my own hands. Regardless, I have a lot of love for the city of New Orleans. For the fans. They have done nothing but treat me well. There is unfinished business here », recalls Ingram.
| Brandon Ingram | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2016-17 | LAL | 79 | 29 | 40.2 | 29.4 | 62.1 | 0.8 | 3.2 | 4.0 | 2.1 | 2.0 | 0.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 9.4 |
| 2017-18 | LAL | 59 | 34 | 47.0 | 39.0 | 68.1 | 1.0 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 3.9 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 16.1 |
| 2018-19 | LAL | 52 | 34 | 49.7 | 33.0 | 67.5 | 0.8 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 3.0 | 2.9 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 18.3 |
| 2019-20 | NOP | 62 | 34 | 46.3 | 39.1 | 85.1 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 6.1 | 4.2 | 2.9 | 1.0 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 23.8 |
| 2020-21 | NOP | 61 | 34 | 46.6 | 38.1 | 87.8 | 0.6 | 4.3 | 4.9 | 4.9 | 2.0 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 23.8 |
| 2021-22 | NOP | 55 | 34 | 46.1 | 32.7 | 82.6 | 0.6 | 5.2 | 5.8 | 5.6 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 2.8 | 0.5 | 22.7 |
| 2022-23 | NOP | 45 | 34 | 48.4 | 39.0 | 88.2 | 0.5 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.8 | 2.6 | 0.7 | 3.3 | 0.4 | 24.7 |
| 2023-24 | NOP | 64 | 33 | 49.2 | 35.5 | 80.1 | 0.7 | 4.4 | 5.1 | 5.7 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 2.6 | 0.6 | 20.8 |
| Total | 477 | 33 | 46.8 | 36.2 | 78.6 | 0.7 | 4.5 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 2.4 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 0.6 | 19.4 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
