Lakers’ Brandon Ingram placed into NBA’s concussion protocol

After exiting Friday’s game with what was originally diagnosed as a neck muscle contusion, Lakers’ second-year forward Brandon Ingram has been placed in the NBA’s concussion protocol.

Per Lakers sideline reporter Mike Trudell, Ingram was re-evaluated Saturday morning and showed “concussion-like symptoms.” Because the NBA’s concussion protocol prohibits a player from being cleared within 24 hours of a diagnosis, Ingram will not be available Sunday when the Lakers take on the Sacramento Kings.

Here is everything that needs to happen before Ingram can return, according to the official league concussion protocol.

A player who had a concussion may not return to participation until:

i. He is without concussion-related symptoms at rest;

ii. He has been evaluated by a physician;

iii. He has successfully completed the NBA return-to-participation exertion protocol; and

iv. A team physician has discussed the return-to-participation process and decision with the Director of the NBA Concussion Program. Note that the final return-to-participation decision is to be made by the player’s team physician, in order to maximize the consistency of care for the player.

Ingram just returned after being sidelined for almost a month with a nagging groin injury. There is no timetable for Ingram’s return at this time, but there’s a small chance he returns next week.

Kevin Love was recently place in the NBA’s concussion protocol and returned just two days after. Hopefully the same is true for Ingram.