New Orleans Pelicans' Brandon Ingram Sets Timeline for Return

The New Orleans Pelicans could soon have one of the league's fiercest big threes. Speaking with reporters on Monday, forward Brandon Ingram revealed he plans to return at some point during the Pelicans' upcoming homestand.

Brandon Ingram on playing this home stand: “I’m going to see how I feel but that’s the plan”

Said it’s about if the pain is tolerable, mentioned he’s played through pain before and will. #Pelicans
— Erin Summers (@ErinESummers) January 23, 2023

Ingram has played in only 15 games this season for the Pelicans due to a lingering big toe contusion, but he's been effective when available, logging 20.8 points per game, 5.1 rebounds per game, and 4.7 assists per game. The injury has kept him out of action since a November 25th, 2022 132-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Despite Ingram's unavailability, the Pelicans are 26-21 this season and fourth in the Western Conference. CJ McCollum has been a steady, reliable presence at guard, averaging 21.1 points per game over 42 appearances. Zion Williamson has also been dominant when healthy, scoring 26.0 points per game with an exceptional .608 field goal percentage in 29 starts. When the three eventually unite, they could form one of the association's better trios.

The Pelicans play the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Washington Wizards at home this week. Ingram's return could lift the Pelicans back to the NBA's elite; they've lost four in a row and nine of their past 12.