Forward Brandon Ingram was the headline of the Los Angeles Clippers' return package from the Toronto Raptors for forward Kawhi Leonard and with the the Clippers in such a severe state of flux in the wake of Leonard's departure and the NBA's punishment of the Clippers for salary cap circumvention, Ingram is expected to have a major role. 

That's why the recent news to come out of Clippers media day is so concerning. Roundtable Sports' Farbod Esnaashari reported that the Clippers discovered that Ingram has a partial Achilles tear, which is isn't as severe as a full tear and likely won't keep him out for the entire season, but will guarantee that Ingram will miss the start of the season. 

This is just the latest in a long line of bad news for the Clippers in a variety of ways and while it certainly isn't as devastating of an injury as it could be, it still throws a major wrench in the Clippers' plans to start the season. Ingram has already had surgery to address the issue, but the recovery will still put him out of commission for some time.

Ingram was an All-Star for the second time in his career last season, averaging 21.5 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game along with 0.8 steals and 0.7 blocks per game. His versatility as a scorer and the upside he presents on defense are the major reasons that he was such a promising pickup for the Clippers and a suitable replacement for Leonard. 

Starting the season without him means that the Clippers will have to pivot, which in turn means that even more of the Clippers' young players will be tested with major minutes early on. 

Ingram was expected to be the Clippers' starting small forward, so in his place will be a mix of Max Strus, whom the Clippers acquired as part of the multi-team sign-and-trade deal that sent Peyton Watson to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Kobe Sanders and Rui Hachimura. 

Strus is the likeliest candidate to assume starting duties at the three in Ingram's absence, but both Sanders and Hachimura have reasons to earn that spot as well. 

Sanders had a breakout season in 2025-26 that led him to earn a permanent place at the NBA level after previously toiling in the G-League while Hachimura was frequently a starter across town for the Los Angeles Lakers and impressed during the playoffs with his three point efficiency. 

Hachimura is a natural power forward, which does make the fit difficult if the Clippers want to play him at the three, but his shooting gives him the versatility to stretch the floor that could make the transition into a more physically-minded wing more comfortable. 

Ingram is the latest in a growing list of injured Clippers, including swingman Jordan Miller and center Yanic Konan Niederhauser, but Los Angeles' investment in depth is surely paying off, so Ingram's absence may be survivable.