Brandon Ingram falls in return to Los Angeles to face Lakers

Former Duke Basketball star Brandon Ingram made his return to Los Angeles to face the Lakers on Friday night, but Ingram and the New Orleans Pelicans weren’t able to best the Purple and Gold.

Brandon Ingram was sent to New Orleans from Los Angeles in the blockbuster deal that sent Anthony Davis to the Lakers this offseason.

Ingram already faced his former team when the Lakers visited New Orleans earlier in the season, but Friday night marked the first time the former Duke Blue Devil would return to L.A. for the first time since the trade.

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New Orleans was unable to overcome the firepower of Davis and LeBron James but Ingram was able to add 22 points for the Pelicans in the 123-113 loss to the Lakers.

Brandon Ingram also added three rebounds, three assists, and two blocks in the loss and was 10-of-27 from the field and 2-of-8 from 3-point range in 35 minutes of game action.

In what should be his first career All-Star season, Ingram is averaging a career-best 24.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.8 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game on 48.1 percent shooting from the floor and 40.1 percent from 3-point range.

J.J. Redick scored 14 points in the loss to the Lakers on 5-of-9 shooting and made 4-of-5 from 3-point range in addition to five rebounds and two assists.

Jahlil Okafor and Frank Jackson did not play in the game for the Pelicans nor did Quinn Cook for the Lakers.

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New Orleans is anticipating a return for No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson sooner rather than later who is receiving from surgery on a torn meniscus he suffered late in the preseason.

The Pelicans have appeared to turn a corner this season, winning six of its last eight games, but still only have a 12-24 record, but just three games back of the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference.