New Orleans Pelicans flying without Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram (concussion) is set to miss the team's next three games after the team announced he won't fly with the team on their upcoming road trip, per Nola.com. As they showed in their 113-111 win over the Dallas Mavericks, the Pelicans can soar without him.

Ingram suffered a concussion against the Utah Jazz on Oct. 23. He missed the team's win over Dallas in which Luka Doncic scored 37 points. The Pelicans had eight players score double figures, highlighted by second-year pro "Trigga" Trey Murphy III's 22-point perfect night. 

Zion Williamson (back) and Herb Jones (knee) are questionable for Friday's game and will travel with the team. Both players missed Tuesday's win over Dallas as well.

It's one thing for the Pelicans to survive the absence of three opening-day starters, and it's another thing entirely for them to survive those absences plus C.J. McCollum going 6-of-20 for 14 points. 

The team's performance against Dallas showed just how deep this Pelicans roster is. Thanks to the all-around team win, the Pelicans (3-1, fourth in the Western Conference) are feeling confident going into a big early season showdown at the Suns (3-1, third in the Western Conference).

Just because New Orleans didn't miss a step without their All-Star forward doesn't mean it won't be happy when Ingram returns.

Per NBA.com, Ingram's offensive rating (130.8) ranks third among players with at least 20 minutes per game. He is one of three players (Christian Wood, Nikola Jokic) to average more than 20 points on fewer than 13 shots per game.

New Orleans is shooting 49.9 percent from the field as a team, the best percentage in basketball. They are fourth in the league in three-point percentage at 39.2 percent despite attempting the fewest number of threes in the league (25.5).

Ingram's absence might turn out to be a blessing in disguise for the Pelicans. Murphy III, Jose Alvarado, Naji Marshall, and rookie Dyson Daniels are all young guys who will be asked to produce (and have) -- and their increased confidence will only give coach Willie Green more viable options in which to turn.

"They can go out there and the level of play doesn't go down too much. It's a luxury to have," said Green. (h/t nola.com)

The Pelicans are flying with Ingram sidelined. Once at full strength, they might not ever land.