Ingram on the Court, Still Watching from the Sideline

Brandon Ingram got in some light shooting and court work Tuesday in Hawai'i ahead of Clippers practice — which is something, even if it's a small something. He's still not practicing with the group, still not available when the season opens, still the centerpiece of the Leonard trade who hasn't yet played a minute for the team that acquired him.

The heel surgery recovery is described as on track, which is the right thing to say at this point in camp. What it means practically is that Harden, Zubac, Strus, Hachimura, and whoever else is healthy are building habits and rotations without the player the Clippers gave up Kawhi Leonard to get. Chemistry takes time. The time is running now, without Ingram in it.

I noted Tuesday that Harden is opening camp as the clear first option with no competition for that role — which is exactly the dynamic the front office was trying to avoid after last season's late collapse. The Ingram acquisition was supposed to give Harden a credible co-star, someone to take possessions and pressure off a guard who struggled when his usage climbed. That relief isn't coming for the start of the year.

Light shooting is progress. It's just not the kind of progress that changes the opening-week lineup.