Ten-year G League veteran Andre Ingram drops 19 points in Lakers debut

Blake Birt

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Ten-year G League veteran Andre Ingram drops 19 points in Lakers debut image

Andre Ingram had to grind for 10 seasons in the G League before getting his NBA shot, but he looked like he belonged in his debut Tuesday.

Ingram was hot for the Lakers, scoring 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting while adding three rebounds and an assist in LA's loss to the Rockets.

"The coaches and every teammate, to a T, said, 'Look, when you get it, whenever you touch it, let it go,'" Ingram told ESPN's Stan Verrett during an in-studio interview on "SportsCenter."

The Staples Center crowd cheered loudly for Ingram when he entered late in the first quarter, and Rockets star Chris Paul also showed love.

Ingram spoke to The New York Times before the game and was adamant he wouldn't change his style of play for the higher level.

“They know me very well, they’ve seen me the last couple years, so they know what I do and they know how I play,” said Ingram.

“That’s the goal: be who I am.”

MORE: Andre Ingram signs his Lakers contract

Ingram is a career 46 percent 3 -point shooter in the G League, and that form carried over into the NBA as he nailed his first attempt from deep.

The 32-year-old guard suited up for LA after previous stops with the Utah Flash, Los Angeles D-Fenders and South Bay Lakers.

The call-up came as a shock for Ingram, who thought he was heading to an exit interview before South Bay general manager Nick Mazzella dropped the big news.

Ingram will have another opportunity to face NBA competition when the Lakers close out their season at Staples vs. the Clippers on Wednesday night.

Blake Birt

Blake Birt is a digital content producer for DAZN News. He has worked in media communications the past five years, including as a social media manager, writer and editor. He is located in Sydney, Australia.