Tuesday night’s game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the New Orleans Pelicans threw up a few questions. One was primarily the health of Zion Williamson after he left midway through the 4th quarter.
The second one was the use of Brandon Ingram by head coach Willie Green . Former player and champion Kendrick Perkins pointed out this head-scratching decision.
When Zion Williamson left the game with a leg injury, the Pelicans were tied with the Lakers with only 3 minutes to go. Brandon Ingram was sitting on the bench for much of the 4th quarter. After the loss of one superstar, all head coach Willie Green had to do was reinsert Ingram. However, he chose to leave the superstar on the bench.
Lakers earned that win! But Willie Green benching Ingram the entire 4th especially when Zion went out was a bit interesting. Perkins noticed this and mentioned in his tweet
Perkins was unsure of why Ingram stayed on the bench. This was Ingram’s second game back from a knee contusion that kept him out for a month.
However, Kendrick Perkins raising the question was logical. If Williamson had stayed on in the game, then the question would not arise. However, the New Orleans Pelicans were still capable of winning the game at the time. The momentum at that point in the game was also in favor of the Pelicans.
Had Ingram been thrust back into the lineup, he could have at least tried to keep up with the Lakers. However, it was not to be, as the men in purple and gold sensed the opportunity and streaked clear of their opponents.
Was Brandon Ingram injured or did Willie Green throw in the towel?
Brandon Ingram did play a huge chunk of the 4th quarter. However, the Pelicans superstar did seem to labor late in the game. Rust is quite normal for players missing a month. Getting into shape is something that takes 2 to 3 games. It is quite possible that Ingram was gassed and could not keep going.
Then there is the possibility that head coach Willie Green knew the game had slipped out of their hands after Williamson left the court. He probably thought of not aggravating the problem. He will need them rested and focused for the play-in finals against the Sacramento Kings in three days’ time.
Willie Green will surely have his reasons for those decisions. Come Friday, his team will have to give their best to extend their playoff run.
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