Pelicans' Brandon Ingram Out Indefinitely with Injury amid NBA Trade Rumors

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram will be out indefinitely due to an ankle injury, the team announced on Sunday.

ESPN's Shams Charania first reported Ingram would be absent from the lineup without a timeline for his return.

Ingram left the Pelicans game on Saturday during the third quarter. This development also comes just days after Ingram revealed that he wants to be with a "winning, competitive environment" for his long-term future.

Ingram will be a free agent following the 2024-25 season.

Ingram suffered the injury when he rolled his ankle on the foot of Oklahoma City Thunder guard Lu Dort and was guided off of the court by teammates. He finished the game with five points, three assists and one rebound in 19 minutes.

He has had a strong start to the 2024-25 season, averaging 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 18 games. He had previously missed five games due to right plantaris tendinitis.

New Orleans is currently 5-19 and are in last place in the Western Conference. Injuries have not been kind to the franchise as Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hopkins are all dealing with significant injuries as well.

Still, the team's struggles and Ingram's desire to be in a winning culture may complicate the chances of him signing an extension. With him now on the injury report, the Pelicans will really need to figure out how to convince him to stay or pivot to replacing his production in the future.