Lakers News: Luke Walton Gives Andre Ingram Game Ball After NBA Debut

Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton presented 32-year-old rookie Andre Ingram with the game ball after he made his NBA debut in a 105-99 loss to the league-leading Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Tuesday night.

Ingram, who spent a decade in the G League before finally getting the call to the NBA, tallied 19 points, three rebounds and three blocks in 29 minutes off the bench. He made six of his eight shots from the field, including four of five from beyond the arc.   

The Lakers highlighted Walton's comments to the Virginia native on Instagram:

Ingram even received some "MVP" chants from the Lakers faithful with Rockets guard James Harden, the award's likely winner for the 2017-18 campaign, playing for the visitors.

"I just felt some electricity out there," he told reporters. "The crowd. Just being here, the lights. It was once-in-a-lifetime. It was awesome."

Andre Ingram Had a Great Debut

Ingram will get one more chance to impress scouts when the Lakers finish the regular season Wednesday night against the rival Los Angeles Clippers.