Despite joining the Toronto Raptors via a trade on February 6, 2025, Brandon Ingram has yet to play a game for the team. Prior to the trade, Ingram suffered a left ankle sprain that kept him off the court for the rest of the 2024-2025 season.
Ingram's return to the court and first time playing in a Raptors jersey will see him face the Denver Nuggets. Game number two of the preseason will send the Raptors to Sacramento, where they will take on the Kings in their first game of the preseason. And it will be an interesting one.
Brandon Ingram's game
It's been a minute since Ingram took the court, so fans can be forgiven if they've forgotten what he brings to his team. His mastery of the mid-range shot and offensive fluidity make him a constant threat. Brandon is a playmaker but also operates well in isolation.
Keeping all of that in mind, he has been criticized for his shot selection and accuracy from beyond the three-point arc. There are also ongoing concerns with his ankle. Ingram's late 2024 injury was not his first issue, and there is definitely the potential for it to come up again.
Raptors and Kings are in the same boat
Both Toronto and Sacramento have gone through tough periods of instability and are trying to figure things out. That instability has plagued these franchises in recent years. As such, each team wants to get off to a good start in the preseason and set the tone for 2025-2026.
On top of that, the Raptors have a debuting Brandon Ingram, and the Kings have a debuting Dennis Schroder. It will take time for these players to settle into their respective roles in their new franchises. That's just part of the process these teams are working their way through.
The Kings will take the win
The reality is that only one team can win its preseason game on Wednesday. The smart money should be on the Kings. Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan are all elite scorers looking to make a statement. Keegan Murray, Keon Ellis, and Keegan Murray will do the same.
Brandon Ingram will be a problem for the Kings. He's proven to be a difference maker on many occasions. At the same time, the Kings are loaded with talent that simply needs to find a groove. It won't be a shock to see them get in that early in the season.