Clippers' Ingram, key return in Kawhi trade, out after Achilles, heel surgery

LOS ANGELES -- Clippers forward Brandon Ingram will not be available to start the 2026-27 season as he recovers from a surgery that addressed a right heel injury and partially torn Achilles tendon. Interim president of basketball operations Trent Redden said at Clippers media day Monday that doctors discovered and addressed the previously undisclosed Achilles injury while Ingram underwent surgery on his heel in May. Ingram, 29, has no timetable for a return to the court, but Redden noted that the recovery time for a partially torn Achilles tendon is typically "about six months less" than for a fully torn Achilles. Ingram missed the final two games of the Raptors' first-round series loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers due to the heel injury before undergoing surgery. The Clippers acquired Ingram and guard Gradey Dick from the Toronto Raptors in a trade for Kawhi Leonard earlier this month. "It wasn't until we got our hands on [Ingram] here that we started to see where he was at with his progression," Redden said. "He won't be ready for the start of the season, and we'll reevaluate when we get there." Redden also said guard Bradley Beal is dealing with right knee inflammation after undergoing surgery on his left hip and won't be available for the start of training camp. Ingram, a two-time All-Star, averaged 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Raptors last season. Once he returns to the court, Ingram projects as the leading scoring option for the new-look Clippers. "Whenever [Ingram] comes back, when he gets out there, I think our pick-and-roll will be the No. 1 thing we go to," Clippers guard Darius Garland said. "I think that can be really nasty. "He's super crafty. I'm super excited to play with him for sure." Ingram is on the Clippers' books for $40 million this season and holds a $41.9 million player option for 2027-28.