Brandon Ingram is working his way back and is close to his debut with the Los Angeles Clippers.
The two-time All-Star has been the biggest absence for the team this season, considering he will be an immediate starter upon his return.
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He is recovering from right heel surgery he had in May. He is also dealing with a partially torn Achilles tendon.
“I’m pretty close,” Ingram told reporters during media availability on Friday. “I’ve been on the floor a little bit more than I’ve been in the past. I didn’t have a summer to have 5-on-5, move at all, but I’m gaining that confidence right now.”
The Clippers acquired Ingram as one of the primary trade assets in the package sent over by the Toronto Raptors for Kawhi Leonard during the offseason.
Ingram told reporters he was initially supposed to have a bone removed from his heel, but the doctors found the partially torn Achilles during that procedure. While sidelined, he’s remained close to the team and appreciates the players’ efforts.
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“I actually want to commend those guys because everybody is in new positions and asked to do more,” Ingram said. “So the guys are trying. They’re playing really, really good defense.”
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Signature shoes, rare colorways and player exclusives help NBA stars stand out this season. Take a look at some of the coolest sneakers being worn around the league.
A close up of the Li-Ning sneakers worn by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during their game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on October 23, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
1 / 25
See the coolest sneakers of the NBA season
Signature shoes, rare colorways and player exclusives help NBA stars stand out this season. Take a look at some of the coolest sneakers being worn around the league.
A close up of the Li-Ning sneakers worn by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during their game against the Memphis Grizzlies at Chase Center on October 23, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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A close up of the Nike sneakers worn by Cameron Boozer of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of their game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 23, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
(Ezra Shaw, Getty Images)
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A detailed view of of the shoes worn by Jaylen Brown of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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A detailed view of shoes on guard Tyrese Maxey of the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
(Emilee Chinn, Getty Images)
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A detailed view of LeBron James’ of the Philadelphia 76ers shoes during the first quarter of a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Xfinity Mobile Arena on October 22, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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A detailed view of the basketball shoes of Trae Young of the Washington Wizards against the Milwaukee Bucks during the second half at Capital One Arena on October 21, 2026 in Washington, DC.
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The shoes of Yang Hansen of the Portland Trail Blazers are seen during the second half against the Phoenix Suns at Moda Center on October 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.
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The shoes of Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns are seen during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on October 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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The shoes of Ja Morant of the Portland Trail Blazers are seen during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Moda Center on October 21, 2026 in Portland, Oregon.
(Steph Chambers, Getty Images)
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Detail of the Skechers sneakers worn by Julius Randle of the Brooklyn Nets during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Barclays Center on October 21, 2026 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
(Sarah Stier, Getty Images)
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A detailed view of the shoes of Keaton Wagler of the Los Angeles Clippers before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Intuit Dome on October 21, 2026 in Inglewood, California.
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A detailed view of Kyrie Irving of the Dallas Mavericks shoes prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
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A detailed view of Cooper Flagg of the Dallas Mavericks shoes prior to the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 21, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
(Kenneth Richmond, Getty Images)
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A detailed view of LeBron James of the Philadelphia 76ers shoes during the third quarter of the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2026 in New York City.
(Sarah Stier, Getty Images)
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Shoes worn by Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on October 20, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
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A detailed view of Jalen Brunson of the New York Knicks shoes during the third quarter of the game against the Philadelphia 76ers at Madison Square Garden on October 20, 2026 in New York City.
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A close up of the sneakers worn by Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors during the second half of their preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on October 16, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
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A close up of the sneakers worn by Yaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors during the first half of their preseason game against the Portland Trail Blazers at Chase Center on October 16, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
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A close up of the sneakers worn by Ja Morant of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of their preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center on October 16, 2026 in San Francisco, California.
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A detailed view of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoes during the game against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center on October 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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A detailed view of the KD19 shoes worn by Quadir Copeland of the Houston Rockets during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Toyota Center on October 15, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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A detailed view of the shoes of Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers during the first quarter against the Sacramento Kings in a preseason game at Crypto.com Arena on October 08, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
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Cade Cunningham of the Detroit Pistons shoes during a pre season game against the Phoenix Suns at Little Caesars Arena on October 05, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan.
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A view of the shoes worn by Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers during Cleveland Cavaliers Media Day at Rocket Arena on September 28, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio.
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A detailed view of Kevin Durant of the Houston Rockets shoes as he poses for a photo during the Houston Rockets Media Day at Hilton Americas-Houston on September 22, 2026 in Houston, Texas.
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Ingram’s return would be welcomed, especially on the offensive end of the floor. The All-Star led Toronto with 21.5 points and was third in rebounds (5.6) last season. He started 77 games for the Raptors.
“They’re trying to figure it out on the offensive end,” Ingram said. “When I come in, I want to play make, make it a little bit easier for guys to catch and shoot, and not have to make so many decisions. And be able to, when it gets down to it, be able to score.”
Ingram already had a level of familiarity with head coach Tyronn Lue and assistant coach Jeff Van Gundy from playing for Team USA during the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
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Ingram, center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser and Max Strus, who has the ability to play as both a guard and forward, were recalled on Nov. 2. The trio participated in a weekend assignment with the team’s G-League affiliate.
Konan Niederhäuser is working his way back from right Lisfranc surgery. Strus was recovering from a partial tear to his right plantar fascia.
“Max came back and had a big impact on the team,” Ingram said. “He’s made the team better. Yanic is coming back soon.
“… As a full team, I think we’re gonna mesh well. And we’ll be a little better than we have been. But in these games that we lost, we’ve been right in the game. Just fix a few mistakes and we can win those games.”
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The Clippers won the season opener against the Sacramento Kings before losing seven straight. Los Angeles will host the New Orleans Pelicans on Nov. 8.
