On Tuesday night at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers came three points shy of knocking off another potential playoff team in the Utah Jazz. Los Angeles played well on both ends of the floor against the Jazz but came up short with Gordon Hayward’s squad getting the best of the young Lakers.
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Following the win in Los Angeles, Hayward talked about Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram. Hayward believes the 19-year-old forward has a bright future ahead in the NBA, via Lakers Nation reporter Serena Winters:
Gordon Hayward on Brandon Ingram: “I think he’s got a really good future in this league…Got a good looking shot, got some good moves."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) December 28, 2016
Ingram went 2-for-5 from the field on Tuesday night finishing with five points, two assists, and two rebounds. Although not an eye-popping performance from the rookie forward, Ingram has shown flashes of his potential this year that has caught the attention of stars and up-and-comers like Hayward.
Along with opponents seeing the potential for Ingram’s future in Los Angeles, the Lakers brass has high hopes for the Duke product. Ingram is expected to be a part of the Lakers organization for many years to come as he continues to develop alongside teammates D’Angelo Russell, Julius Randle, and Jordan Clarkson.
Following the defeat to the Jazz, Ingram and company hope to bounce back against the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday at the Staples Center. With the team’s longest road trip of the season behind them, the young squad will be able to play in familiar surrounding with six of the next seven games being played at home.