Lonzo Ball listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against Miami

After missing the last three games with a groin strain, Lonzo Ball is listed as questionable for Saturday’s contest against Miami.

Lonzo Ball may be closer than ever at returning to the court for the New Orleans Pelicans after his recent injured stint. Ball was listed as questionable for Saturday’s game against the Miami Heat on the official injury report released by the Pelicans on Friday.

It’s the first time since Ball sat out against Charlotte last Saturday that he has been listed as anything other than “out” in the injury report released the day before the game. Ball has missed three games with a groin strain.

Ball suffered the injury against the Nets on Nov. 4 and initially played through the injury in the next contest against the Raptors on Nov. 8. However, Ball sat out in the next contest against the Hornets one night later on Nov. 9 and has not been on the court since. The Pelicans have noted they don’t expect Ball’s injury to lead to a long-term absence.

In his absence, the Pelicans have gone 2-1 with wins over Charlotte and the Clippers and a loss to the Rockets. Interestingly, Jrue Holiday had his best game of the season on Thursday with Ball out, finishing with 37 points, four rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

Brandon Ingram, who was a late scratch against Houston and sat out against the Clippers as well, is listed as probable for Saturday. Josh Hart, who suffered a sprained knee and ankle against Houston and sat out against the Clippers, will be out on Saturday.

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Brandon Ingram, Jahlil Okafor to sit vs. Clippers

The two former Duke Blue Devils will sit against the Clippers on Thursday.

The New Orleans Pelicans announced that former Duke Blue Devils and former top-three picks Brandon Ingram and Jahlil Okafor will be sidelined for their matchup with the LA Clippers on Thursday night.

Ingram is dealing with the right knee soreness that kept him out of Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets. Ingram leads the team in points per game with a 25.9 points per game on 53.7% percent from the field, including 46.9% from behind the arc. He’s also contributing 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

Meanwhile, Jahlil Okafor is nursing a right ankle sprain. Okafor is averaging 9.9 points per game on a career-high 64.8% shooting from the field.

Okafor and Ingram join Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Darius Miller and Zion Williamson on the injury report. Head coach Alvin Gentry will roll out a starting lineup of Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick, E’Twaun Moore, Kenrich Williams and Derrick Favors.

This mark’s Moore’s first start of the regular season. Moore started 36 games last season.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Brandon Ingram to be game-time decision against Clippers

Brandon Ingram is expected to be a game-time decision in the Pelicans showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers with a knee injury.

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After being a late scratch in the Pelicans’ contest against the Rockets on Monday with a knee injury, Brandon Ingram is expected to be a game-time decision on Thursday at home against the Los Angeles Clippers. Officially, the Pelicans list Ingram as questionable on the injury report.

Ingram addressed the media after taking part in individual drills in practice on Wednesday and seemed optimistic about a potential return, calling the injury “not a big deal.”

I feel good. Just continuing to listen to the trainers and the doctors and trying to come in here and see how I feel every day.

Ingram said that he hyper-extended his knee at the end of the Pelicans’ win over Charlotte and the pain had lingered in the days between games. After taking part in the warm-up against the Rockets, Ingram was again bothered by his knee and sat out the contest.

On the season, Ingram is averaging 25.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from beyond the arc. Injuries, though, have nagged Ingram throughout his career as he’s played in just 59 and 52 games in the last two seasons, respectively.

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Pelicans vs. Clippers Preview: Injuries tell tale of two sides on different paths

The New Orleans Pelicans welcome in the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul George’s potential season debut in an anticipated clash.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers

When: Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:00 p.m ET

Where: Smoothie King Center

How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans

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While the New Orleans Pelicans continue to struggle with injuries as Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart each will be out on Thursday, the Los Angeles Clippers enter on an entirely different injury-related path. After going through the opening weeks of the season undermanned, Paul George is expected to make his Clipper debut on Thursday, offering another weapon to one of the sides expected to be amongst the conference’s elites.

George’s status is still officially uncertain for the night but whether it’s Thursday, Saturday or into next week, George will add to the Clippers’ loaded roster. New Orleans, meanwhile, continues to lose players at an alarming rate this season. Hart is the latest edition in the injury report, joining Ball on the sidelines tonight while Brandon Ingram could join them with his status still uncertain. With Zion Williamson still out, the Pelicans are quickly developing a starting five on the injury report that could rival the one put on the court.

There remains the possibility that George doesn’t play on Thursday. With Kawhi Leonard not playing back-to-backs this season and having played on Wednesday, the possibility also remains neither are on the court on Thursday.

The depth the Clippers have, though, can help them absorb the lack of George and Leonard on the court, though they’ve struggled in Leonard’s absence this season. In 236 minutes without Leonard on the floor this season, the Clippers have an offensive rating of 101.3, a defensive rating of 109.3 and a net rating of -8.0. That would rank them the 28th-best offense and the 19th-ranked defense without Leonard this season.

The opportunities will be available with or without George on the court. Whether an undermanned Pelicans team can take advantage of those opportunities will be the key tonight.