Brandon Ingram's Toronto Raptors debut may not come any time soon.
Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic admitted Wednesday that he's "not even sure if (Ingram) will be able to play again this season or not," according to the Toronto Sun's Ryan Wolstat.
Ingram last played Dec. 7 for the New Orleans Pelicans when he sprained his left ankle after coming down on the foot of Oklahoma City Thunder forward Lu Dort. He was sidelined for the Pelicans' next 27 games before being dealt to the Raptors on Thursday. He's missed another four since joining Toronto, though the club quickly got ahead of his impending free agency by signing him to a three-year, $120-million extension Tuesday.
The 27-year-old said Wednesday that he still has no timetable for a return, according to TSN's Josh Lewenberg. Ingram also said he expects to need a reconditioning process because of his lengthy absence.
Rajakovic said the Raptors will re-evaluate Ingram every two weeks but that the priority is to have him healthy entering the summer and for the start of next season, according to Lewenberg.
Ingram averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 18 games for the Pelicans this season. The 2020 Most Improved Player tallied 23 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game with 47.2/37.2/84.7 shooting splits in six campaigns with New Orleans.
