Brandon Ingram out with groin strain for at…
Brandon Ingram out with groin strain for at least a week, Lakers say
Lakers forward Brandon Ingram is expected to miss at least three games with a groin strain, team officials said on Monday, March 5, 2018. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
By Elliott Teaford | eteaford@scng.com | Orange County Register
EL SEGUNDO — Brandon Ingram knew something was wrong the instant Justise Winslow collided with him during the Lakers' victory Thursday over the Miami Heat. He didn't know the severity of his injury until an MRI exam revealed he suffered a groin strain that will sideline him for about a week.
Ingram is likely to be out for at least three games, and possibly more, the Lakers said Monday. He sat out the Lakers' victory Saturday over San Antonio and wasn't expected to play Monday against Portland, Wednesday against Orlando or Friday against Denver.
It was uncertain whether he could play next Sunday in what looms as LeBron James' free agent recruiting visit when the Cleveland Cavaliers visit Staples Center. The Lakers said Monday they expect Ingram to re-evaluated in approximately one week.
"I'm just happy it's not worse than it could be," Ingram said. "Hopefully, I am (back in the lineup for the game against the Cavaliers). I want to be back for that game, of course. I want to be back even sooner, but I have to listen to the medical staff about what's the best choice for myself."
The Lakers originally believed Ingram suffered a hip flexor injury.
Ingram believed otherwise.
"I was hit directly in a spot that I've had problems with before, but it was as bad as it was right now," said Ingram, averaging a team-leading 16.2 points. "It's something I will get through. Just a lot of treatment to get it back healthy so I can get back on the court."
Winslow, who, like Ingram, played collegiately at Duke, kneed Ingram in an after-the-whistle play in the fourth quarter.
"I don't think I was surprised," Ingram said when asked about the extent of the injury. "I pretty much knew what it was exactly when it happened. I just didn't know my timetable, or how long I would be out or if I had to be out at all. Like I said I'm happy it's not that serious."
Coach Luke Walton ticked off a list of reasons why Ingram will be missed.
"It's not just his scoring we're going to miss," Walton said. "He's been a huge piece in the success we've had recently in playing the point guard position: Playmaking, really stepping up the way he rebounds the ball, using his length to get in there, and finishing off our possessions on defense.
"There's a lot we're trying to fill in without him out there on the court."
HART UPDATE
Josh Hart couldn't say for certain whether it was a cast or a brace that was wrapped around his surgically repaired left hand Monday. No one had signed it in the days after he underwent surgery Friday, so it probably was more of a brace.
What was clear beyond a shadow of a doubt was that he was disappointed he would be sidelined for up to six weeks, or perhaps for the rest of the regular season. He said he hoped to be back in the lineup before the end of the season April 11.
"It was a downer at first, but it's part of the game," he said. "Obviously, at the beginning of the year, I wasn't playing too many minutes and I wasn't playing that well. The last month or month and a half have been more comfortable and Luke's given me more minutes and a bigger role.
"So, that was nice, but it's a bummer to have it happen now."
KOBE'S OSCAR
Walton scoffed when told Kobe Bryant said after winning an Academy Award for his animated short film "Dear Basketball" that winning the Oscar "feels better than winning a championship, to be honest with you." Bryant won five NBA titles, including two with Walton as his teammate.
"He said that? With a straight face?" Walton asked.
Bryant's Oscar victory didn't surprise Walton,who said, "I'm very happy for him. I'm not surprised by it. Anyone that's been around him knows how dedicated he is and how hard he works when he puts his mind to something. Happy for him, but not surprised at all."
Elliott Teaford | Sports reporter
Elliott Teaford covers the Anaheim Ducks for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He's covered the Ducks since 2005, including their Stanley Cup season in 2006-07, for the Los Angeles Times and the Daily Breeze before returning to the beat in 2018-19 for SCNG. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2009 and 2010. He is a Long Beach State graduate.
eteaford@scng.com
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