Pelicans stars Ingram, Williamson dealing with injuries

New Orleans Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram suffered a concussion on Sunday, the team announced Monday, and the 2019-20 All-Star is in the NBA’s concussion protocol.  

The injury occurred in the first quarter of the Pelicans’ 122-121 overtime loss to the Utah Jazz Sunday when Ingram took a blow to the face from teammate Naji Marshall while reaching for a steal.  

Ingram was removed from the game and evaluated. He returned to the court midway through the second quarter but exited less than a minute later and did not return.  

Ingram is now subject to the NBA’s return-to-participation process, which cannot begin until 24 hours after the injury. There is no timetable for Ingram’s return, but the Pelicans have already ruled him out for Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Mavericks.  

Zion Williamson was also unable to finish Sunday’s game after suffering a posterior hip contusion during a fall to the floor. He is listed as questionable ahead of Tuesday’s game, as is Herb Jones, who is dealing with knee soreness.  

“Z’s fall could’ve been much worse and doesn’t seem like it is. Sore. Bruises,” New Orleans coach Willie Green told reporters on Monday. “Brandon gets hit in the face. Herb’s knee. Nothing catastrophic, but something we have to monitor over the next few days.” 

Ingram, Williamson and Jones are part of a Pelicans core that entered the season with lofty expectations and appears ready to challenge some of the established powers in the Western Conference.  

New Orleans won its first two games of the season – at Brooklyn and at Charlotte – and dropped its home opener Sunday only after losing the team’s two best players.  

The Pelicans are third in scoring in this young NBA season at 125 points per game.  

Williamson is averaging 22 points and 6.7 rebounds after missing all last season with a fractured right foot.