The 2021-22 NBA season couldn’t be going much worse for the New Orleans Pelicans. They are currently in last place in the Western Conference with a record of 7-20. The Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons are the only teams in the league with lower winning percentages than New Orleans.
The team has been beset by injuries, as Zion Williamson has still not taken the court yet this season. He is recovering from an operation on his foot but his rehab hit a snag last week and they decided to dial things back a little bit.
His injury is the most prominent one, but they have dealt with a myriad of injuries all season. Jonas Valanciunas and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are the only two players to have appeared in all 27 games thus far this season.
Brandon Ingram, the team’s other cornerstone piece, missed seven games earlier this season with a hip issue. Without their two best players, New Orleans found themselves dug into a deep early hole that is proving difficult to climb out of.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram Praised For Leadership With New Orleans Pelicans
Upon his return to the lineup, Ingram struggled to get going. His shot was not falling and the team was continuing to rack up losses at a rapid pace. But, something has clicked for him recently and he is doing everything in his power to help get the Pelicans on track.
In the last eight games, the Pelicans are 4-4. While some teams may find that to not be a success, it is a step in the right direction for the Pelicans, who were 3-16 before this stretch. While there is still plenty of work to do, it is encouraging to see that they are capable of putting together some strong performances led by Ingram.
In those eight games, Brandon Ingram is averaging 24.3 points per game. He is doing it efficiently as well, shooting 49.3 percent overall from the field, going 72-of-146. Ingram is dominating teams inside the arc, as he is making only 30.6 percent of his 3-point attempts. He is doing an excellent job of drawing fouls, connecting on 86.7 percent of his foul shots on 5.6 attempts per game.
Without Williamson, Ingram is carrying a heavy burden offensively for the team. Opponents are constantly double-teaming him as they know New Orleans has very few ways of beating them outside of Ingram scoring the basketball.
He has gotten things going recently and head coach Willie Green believes it is because the coaching staff has figured out the best way to make use of his skill set.
“He’s just been playing at a higher level, playing faster, more aware of what’s going on around him,” Green said. “Really, there are times when he’s just taking over the game, which I love to see from him.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Brandon Ingram Praised For Leadership With New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans have needed everything that Ingram has provided. As the unquestioned go-to player on offense, he is assuming a ton of responsibility and has stepped up his performance to help the team win some games.
Hopefully, Williamson can return to the lineup sooner than later to provide Ingram and the Pelicans with some much-needed help.
