Lakers News: Brandon Ingram out at least one week with groin strain, MRI reveals

After waiting all day to hear something on Sunday, the results from Brandon Ingram’s MRI are finally in. The Los Angeles Lakers announced Monday morning Brandon Ingram has suffered a left groin strain and will be re-evaluated in one week.

Ingram was originally diagnosed with a strained hip flexor after taking a flying knee to the groin area from Miami Heat forward Justise Winslow on Thursday. He missed the Lakers’ game in San Antonio on Saturday as a result and will miss at least the next four games.

Here’s the collision that led to the injury:

Ingram played a crucial part in the Lakers five-game winning streak and is coming off of his best month in the purple and gold, averaging 18.6 points. 5.2 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.1 blocks per game through 12 games in February. Per stats.nba.com, the only other player to average at least 15 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and a block per game during that time was Giannis Antetokounmpo.

They will miss his shot creation and playmaking in the half court along with his steadily improving on-ball defense.

With Ingram sidelined, Kyle Kuzma will likely vacate the starting small forward position going forward. Kuzma started in place of Ingram Saturday against the Spurs and struggled in his role. Hopefully as he gets more reps, he gets more comfortable on the wing.

The Lakers will look to make it six in a row Monday as they host the Portland Trailblazers. While it will be difficult without Ingram, who has arguably been their second-best player since the All-Star break, the Lakers have a chance to get within five games of a .500 record with a win on Monday. Fingers crossed.