New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram grabs a rebound next to Portland Trail Blazers center Deandre Ayton during the second half of an NBA basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, March 16, 2024. New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram is defended by Orlando Magic center Moritz Wagner during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, March 21, 2024, in Orlando, Fla.
The prognosis for Ingram, who has averaged 20.9 points this season, leaves open the possibility that he could return before the end of the regular season. The Pelicans are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture. New Orleans entered Friday’s action 1 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for fourth place in the West. The top six teams in each conference advance to the first round of the NBA playoffs, while seeds seven through 10 participate in a play-in to determine the final two spots.The Pelicans play at Miami on Friday night and have seven games until the scheduled date of Ingram’s re-evaluation.