Thanks to a spark provided off the bench by Tyler Ennis and Travis Wear, and hot shooting by Kyle Kuzma in the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to erase a 17-point deficit for a comeback victory against the Memphis Grizzlies that snapped a four-game losing skid.
While the Lakers got back in the win column, they’re still shorthanded as Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram and Isaiah Thomas are each dealing with injury. Thomas was previously ruled out for Monday’s game with the Detroit Pistons because of a sore hip, while Hart is targeting a return on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ingram has made steady progress in his recovery from a groin strain that’s sidelined him since March 3. At the outset of their road trip beginning, there was hope Ingram would join the team, possibly for their game last week against the Indiana Pacers.
That didn’t manifest itself, and though Ingram played 2-on-2, he’s not expected to Monday either, per Lakers team reporter Mike Trudell:
Brandon Ingram played some 2-on-2 today as he continues to progress, but he will likely be out tomorrow in Detroit as he’s not yet game ready.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) March 25, 2018
If not Monday, the next chance Ingram could return in Wednesday. However, head coach Luke Walton has indicated the second-year forward would first need to go through a full practice.
But the Lakers’ schedule, which has them playing every other day or in back-to-backs, doesn’t present a clear chance for them to hold a typical practice session. Getting Ingram back would not only be a boon on offense — he leads the team with 16.2 points per game — but defensively as well.
Walton recently pointed to rebounding and guarding the perimeter as aspects the Lakers miss without Ingram, and for that matter Hart as well.
Even if Ingram does not return Monday, the Lakers are expecting to add Thomas Bryant and Gary Payton II from the G League, and could move to sign a free agent as well.
