Duke Basketball: NBA Blue Devil Goes Off Against Wizards

Brandon Ingram heated up on Wednesday night to the tune of a season-high 40 points in the New Orleans Pelicans' 142-122 road win over the Washington Wizards. It was the Duke basketball product's third-highest scoring total as a pro.

His career-high 49 points came in a home victory over the Utah Jazz in January 2020. That was during Ingram's lone All-Star campaign thus far.

Against the Wizards, the 26-year-old Ingram, who heard his name at No. 2 overall at the 2016 NBA Draft following one season with the Blue Devils, shot 14-for-23 from the field, 1-for-4 from three, and 11-for-12 at the charity stripe.

Ingram's mid-range prowess was on full display:

Brandon Ingram mid-range game is just too pure 🥶 He's right back at the level he was when he became an All-Star in 2020. Again, when he's aggressive like this he's as good as any wing in the game.

🎥 @ingramalerts pic.twitter.com/nPhojOJddT
— Ball Don't Stop (@balldontstop) December 14, 2023

He added two rebounds, three assists, one block, and only one turnover across his 31 minutes on the floor.

Through his 22 outings this season, Ingram is averaging 23.6 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 5.3 assists. A second All-Star nod is possible, although he could better his chances by increasing his 29.8 shooting percentage beyond the arc.

New Orleans' other former Duke basketball one-and-done, Zion Williamson, sat out the contest with a sore left ankle. But head coach Willie Green explained to the media on Tuesday that the 23-year-old forward "is fine" and "day-to-day."

Meanwhile, the Wizards' 2015 Blue Devil national champ, starting point guard Tyus Jones, finished with six points, four assists, and one steal in their loss.

The Pelicans (14-11), looking to win three straight for only the second time this season, next head to Brandon Ingram's home state to face the Charlotte Hornets (7-14) at 7 p.m. ET Friday.

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