Despite a difficult loss in Game 5 in Phoenix, the first-round series between the New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns has been more competitive than anyone could have predicted.
You cannot discuss this series without acknowledging the injuries, however, as Devin Booker has been out since midway through Game 2 and Zion Williamson has notably missed the entire season with a foot injury.
Regardless of the injuries, if you told fans that the Pelicans had a chance on Thursday to force a Game 7, they would have thought you were crazy. However, here we are, and NBA fans everywhere are lucky to have been able to witness such a fun series thus far.
New Orleans Pelicans star Brandon Ingram has officially arrived
The Pelicans have gotten impressive performances out of a number of players such as Herbert Jones, CJ McCollum, Jonas Valanciunas, and more. However, in this piece, I want to take a look at the young man in New Orleans who has emerged as a star in these playoffs – Brandon Ingram.
Through the five games in this series, Ingram has averaged an impressive 28.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game. These numbers would be incredible by themselves, but pair them with his amazing efficiency (48.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent from three) and he has been a bonafide superstar in this series.
Now, this isn’t Ingram’s first impressive stretch of basketball. In 2020, he was even selected as an All-Star. On this stage, however, with his team’s future hanging in the balance, Ingram has burst onto the scene as someone who can carry a team on offense.
What immediately stands out to the average viewer is his incredible length and frame. Standing at 6’8 (with a 7’2 wingspan), BI has the natural gifts to be a versatile scorer in the NBA. He is incredible at getting his shot up in the face of any defender unlucky enough to match up against him. Despite his slight build, he is incredible at finishing around the rim with finesse (or power, as seen in the image above).
BI was one of the NBA’s leading scorers from the midrange this season, trailing only DeMar DeRozan and Kevin Durant in field goals made from that area. Once thought to be a dying art, the midrange shot has proved to be a lethal tool in the playoffs for Ingram, as he has become a master isolation scorer in this series.
With his high release point and natural gifts, contesting a BI midrange shot is very difficult. And if he gets switched onto a smaller player, he gets these shots off with ease. For proof of this, look no further than Ingram’s blisteringly hot 53.8 percent shooting from the midrange in the playoffs (7.8 attempts per game).
Maybe just as impressive is that BI has raised his three-point shooting to another level in this series as well. In the regular season, Ingram shot only 32.7 percent from behind the arc, however, in this series, he is up above league average, shooting 42.9 percent from deep. If he can maintain this impressive shooting, Ingram can easily become one of the premier scorers in the entire NBA.
His talented offensive game was on full display in Game 2 of this series, where he dropped a jaw-dropping 37 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists. In an 11-point victory, Brandon Ingram was easily the best player on a court that included some of the NBA’s best. Check out his impressive highlights from that game below.
New Orleans Pelicans fans should be dreaming of how the floor will only continue to open up for BI with the return of Zion Williamson next year. This NO team is full of young talent, with just enough savvy veterans that this team should be expected to make a leap soon.
The trade-deadline deal for CJ McCollum has proven to be incredible for the Pels, as he too has put up some savvy performances of his own this series. Ingram and McCollum have been the highest-scoring duo in the playoffs thus far, and with a win-or-go-home situation Thursday night, I wouldn’t expect this to change.
Like I said before, Brandon Ingram’s incredible playoff run hasn’t been completely shocking, as he has proved himself all year as a talented player. However, seeing him dominate an incredible defense this series has been electric, and it is undeniable that Brandon Ingram has arrived as one of the brightest young stars this league has to offer.