Los Angeles Lakers upcoming star Brandon Ingram says he is not seriously injured after falling on the floor against city rivals Los Angeles Clippers at the end of their Summer League Opener.
Ingram took the ball in his hands to decide the game seconds before the final buzzer beater as the contest was tied at 87-87. The 19-year-old hit the floor immediately after missing a potential game-winning pull-up shot. The forward was clearly in pain and grimacing as the players and team staff ran towards him to check out the situation.
It didn't take too long for Ingram to get up but Lakers President of Basketball Operations Magic Johnson immediately signaled to the bench that he was done for the night.
''It was just a cramp. Just stretched it out a little bit,'' Ingram said post-game, shrugging off any major injury concerns. ''I just knew it was cramp. Nothing to do with my ankle, nothing to do with anything.''
The competitiveness
Brandon Ingram was ready and willing to help his team in the overtime but he was forced to sit out the rest of the game due to precautionary reasons. Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson didn't want to see the young talent risking anything further after the incident. Ingram finished the game with game-high 26 points on 9-of-17 shooting from the field in 31 minutes of action.
The Purple and Gold were clearly weakened by not having Ingram in the lineup as they fell to the Los Angeles Clippers in a two-minute overtime 96-93.
''I was ready to get back to play but I looked over to the sideline and saw Magic told me I can't get back out,'' the forward said.
Former Duke Blue Devil Ingram still remained very much active during the overtime by cheering, motivating and encouraging fellow Laker teammates to fight till the end.
''Just go back to the leadership factor and just try to push the guys, to show them that they can still win,'' Ingram said.
The right mindset
Brandon Ingram claims he and teammates were as eager as anyone to crush the Los Angeles Clippers and end on the winning side.
The Los Angeles Lakers' Summer League roster consists of newly drafted rookie players, sophomores, as well as some other players who are trying to earn a spot on the roster.
Ingram, the second overall pick of the 2016 NBA draft, confesses that he is ''excited'' to play with this group of guys.
''We all had a winning attitude coming into this game. I think that's why it's so much fun playing with these guys right now,'' he said.
The Lakers will be meeting arch rivals Boston Celtics on Saturday in Las Vegas before clashing off against the Sacramento Kings two days later. It remains to be seen will Ingram be a participant in either of the two upcoming matches.
