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Andrew LopezESPN
NEW ORLEANS — After missing the past 29 games with a left big toe contusion, Brandon Ingram returned to the New Orleans Pelicans lineup on Wednesday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Ingram last played Nov. 25 against the Memphis Grizzlies when he kicked the back of another player’s foot, resulting in the injury.
“You watch Brandon in his 5-on-5 games and you realize how his basketball IQ is at a high level,” Pelicans coach Willie Green said pregame. “His skill set is at a high level. He’s going to be knocking some rust off when he does come back. That’s a part of it, too. But he’s efficient, elite basketball player. Guys like him and others like him in the NBA is what makes this league special.”
In 15 games this season, Ingram is averaging 20.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 4.7 assists on 47.2% shooting. He’s also shooting 46.7% from deep, which would be a career best.
Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr., one of many on the team thrust into different roles with Ingram missing time, looks forward to his teammate’s return.
“I’m excited to get him back for my own selfish reasons,” Nance said following the Pelicans’ loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. “When those guys are in, you’ve got to pay so much attention to them that us role guys can really leave our fingerprints on the game. He’s playmaking. He attracts that attention. He’s so unselfish that the rest of us will get our open looks and we’re going to be more than ready to knock them down.”
The Pelicans also will get back forward Naji Marshall on Wednesday night. He’s missed the past three games with right big toe soreness.
Marshall ascended into a starting role with Ingram and Zion Williamson missing time and is averaging 16.4 points in his past 10 games, scoring in double figures in each.
New Orleans will be without rookie guard Dyson Daniels. He sprained his ankle against the Nuggets, and Green said on Wednesday that Daniels “will be out for a little bit of time.” Daniels left the Smoothie King Center on crutches and in a boot on Tuesday.