Pelicans’ Ingram rusty in return from 2-month absence

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Brandon Ingram dribbled withhis back to the basket near the baseline, then suddenly rose fromthe court in a spinning motion as he let fly a turnaround fade.

Twice, Ingram made shots like that in what was his first game intwo months. In between, however, there were many misses.

Ingram scored 13 points in his first game since Nov. 25. Butafter missing 29 games since then, his shooting was inconsistent atbest. He made just four of 18 shots and missed all six 3-pointershe attempted against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who outlasted thePelicans 111-102 on Wednesday night.

“I was anxious to get out there today. I felt a lot of emotionscoming in,” Ingram said. “Just excitement to play. It’s been awhile.

“I’ll be fine. I don’t think it’ll be too many games before I’mmyself,” Ingram added. “Nights like this is only goodmotivation.”

Ingram, who also had five assists, five rebounds and a steal,said he still is not entirely pain-free.

“There’s going to be some pain, but it’s tolerable,” Ingramsaid. “Hopefully it goes away completely ... but I’m able to playthrough it.”

Ingram’s minutes were limited. He played less than 26 minutes,or about nine minutes less than guard CJ McCollum.

“I know it’s all a part of the process of trying to get me backsafe,” Ingram said, even has he said he wished he could have playedmore. “Hopefully we can get through this and I can get back to whoI am.”

Ingram averaged 20.8 points during his first 15 games thisseason when he was hitting 3s at a nearly 47% clip.

“It was great to have him back. Would have been nice to get awin for him,” McCollum said. “Obviously he’s getting his wind back.Two months without basketball is a long time.”

Ingram’s return comes as New Orleans tries to emerge from arecent slump which has coincided with star power forward ZionWilliamson’s right hamstring) injury.

In the 12 games Williamson has missed, New Orleans has lost ninetimes, including six straight.

The Pelicans said Tuesday that while Williamson’s rehabilitationhas progressed well, his return to on-court practice will belimited and he’s expected to be out for at least another twoweeks.

Williamson has averaged 26 points in 29 games.

Ingram’s return “definitely makes the game easier for myselfalong with everybody,” McCollum said, noting that Ingram drawsconsiderable attention from opponents’ top defenders.

“Quality shots turn into quality nights and more efficientnights,” McCollum added. “The key is just continue to help eachother and help our team.”