After benching, Pelicans will have to lean on Brandon Ingram versus Kings

New Orleans lost Zion Williamson to a hamstring injury Tuesday. It may have lost Brandon Ingram emotionally, at least for the moment.

According to Adam Mares on "The All NBA Podcast," Ingram was not only visibly upset that he was benched for much of the Pelicans' fourth-quarter comeback in their loss to the Lakers. His unhappiness reportedly continued after the game.

"Brandon Ingram, I've heard from my people in New Orleans, that it extended into the postgame," Mares said. "That Brandon Ingram stormed out of the building pretty upset. And Willie Green is smart enough to know. He was a player and his strength is how he connects to his team. He knew that not bringing (Ingram) back in was going to cause a conflict."

Ingram struggled in Tuesday's 7-8 game, scoring 11 points on 4-for-12 shooting with three turnovers. It was only his second game back after missing more than three weeks with a knee injury, and Pelicans coach Willie Green eventually pulled him from the game midway through the final quarter.

New Orleans went on an immediate 13-2 run to tie the game with Ingram on the bench. Even after Williamson left with a hamstring injury, Green kept Ingram on the bench, bringing in C.J. McCollum instead.

Now, New Orleans desperately needs Ingram's scoring in an elimination game against the Sacramento Kings. He's done it before, scoring 30 points to beat the Clippers in the final play-in game in 2022.

Ingram can keep his season going and help his team grab the No. 8 seed. He can also prove his doubters wrong, which might feel even sweeter.