Pelicans Brandon Ingram named finalist for Most Improved Player award

After a breakout season in his first year in New Orleans, Brandon Ingram was named as one of the three finalists for Most Improved Player.

The NBA announced its finalists for regular season individual awards on Saturday. Along with teammate Zion Williamson being named a finalist for the Rookie of the Year, Brandon Ingram was one of three finalists for the Most Improved Player award.

Ingram’s All-Star season, which was his first selection to the All-Star game, has seen him average 23.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 4.2 assists in 33.9 minutes per game. While his overall field goal shooting percentage dropped from 49.7% last season to 46.3% this season, his three-point percentage jumped to 38.9% this season, a nearly six percent increase from last season.

Ingram has also posted a career-best PER with career highs in true shooting percentage (58.8%) and effective field goal percentage (53.1%). In his new role, Ingram has helped the Pelicans battle for a playoff spot despite the loss of Zion Williamson for half the season.

The other two finalists for the award are Miami’s Bam Adebayo and Dallas’ Luka Doncic. Both players also earned All-Star game appearances this season with their respective sides.

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