Is Brandon Ingram playing tonight? Latest injury update for Lakers vs. Pelicans

The Lakers and Pelicans are fighting for position in the Play-In Tournament. Will Brandon Ingram be available for their head-to-head matchup?

The Lakers and Pelicans head into tonight’s game with identical 33-35 records. That has them locked in a battle for the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, which would earn inclusion in the Play-In Tournament. But jumping to the No. 8 seed would give them at least two opportunities in that tournament to earn an actual postseason berth and both are 2.5 games behind the Clippers for No. 6 and a chance to avoid the Play-In Tournament altogether.

Every matchup is crucial at this point in the season, especially head-to-head matchups like this one against the teams they’re working against in the standings. For both the Lakers and Pelicans though, health is going to be key.

Will Brandon Ingram be available tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers?

Ingram is currently listed as questionable on the Pelicans’ injury report, because of a right ankle sprain and has missed the past two games as he worked to recover. His status is unclear but his is not the only injury that could play into the game.

Jose Alvarado and Zion Williamson are both out for the Pelicans. For the Lakers, both Mo Bamba and LeBron James are out. Anthony Davis is listed as probable.

Given all of those injuries, the performance of role players could be absolutely crucial. D’Angelo Russell is finally healthy and in the Lakers’ lineup and has racked up 61 points and 17 assists over the last two games — a win over the Raptors and a loss to the Knicks. For the Pelicans, second-year wing Trey Murphy has been stepping up, averaging 20.8 points and hitting 21-of-44 (47.7 percent) from beyond the arc over his last five games.

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