Brandon Ingram is working his way back and is close to his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The two-time All-Star has been the biggest absence for the team this season, considering he will be an immediate starter upon his return.
He is recovering from right heel surgery he had in May. He is also dealing with a partially torn Achilles tendon.
“I'm pretty close,” Ingram told reporters during media availability on Friday. “I've been on the floor a little bit more than I've been in the past. I didn't have a summer to have 5-on-5, move at all, but I'm gaining that confidence right now.”
The Clippers acquired Ingram as one of the primary trade assets in the package sent over by the Toronto Raptors for Kawhi Leonard during the offseason.
Ingram told
reporters he was initially supposed to have a bone removed from his heel, but the doctors found the partially torn Achilles during that procedure. While sidelined, he’s remained close to the team and appreciates the players' efforts.
"I actually want to commend those guys because everybody is in new positions and asked to do more,” Ingram said. “So the guys are trying. They're playing really, really good defense.”
Ingram’s return would be welcomed, especially on the offensive end of the floor. The All-Star led Toronto with 21.5 points and was third in rebounds (5.6) last season. He started 77 games for the Raptors.
“They're trying to figure it out on the offensive end,” Ingram said. “When I come in, I want to play make, make it a little bit easier for guys to catch and shoot, and not have to make so many decisions. And be able to, when it gets down to it, be able to score."
Ingram already had a level of familiarity with head coach Tyronn Lue and assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy from playing for Team USA during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
Ingram, center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser and Max Strus, who has the ability to play as both a guard and forward, were recalled on Nov. 2. The trio participated in a weekend assignment with the team’s G-League affiliate.
Konan Niederhäuser is working his way back from right Lisfranc surgery. Strus was recovering from a partial tear to his right plantar fascia.
"Max came back and had a big impact on the team,” Ingram said. “He's made the team better. Yanic is coming back soon.
“... As a full team, I think we're gonna mesh well. And we'll be a little better than we have been. But in these games that we lost, we've been right in the game. Just fix a few mistakes and we can win those games."
The Clippers won the season opener against the Sacramento Kings before losing seven straight. Los Angeles will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 8.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Brandon Ingram is 'pretty close' to making debut with L.A. Clippers: Latest injury update
