The call-up of Andre Ingram to the Los Angeles Lakers quickly became one of the feel-good stories of the season. Ingram, a long-time veteran of the G-League, received his call-up during his exit interview with the South Bay Lakers in a special moment that the Lakers shared on Twitter.
You stay on the grind and at the end of your 10th year, you finally get the call.
Andre Ingram never stopped persevering and now his @NBA dream is a reality. #ThisIsWhyWePlay #LakeShow pic.twitter.com/1SZhc5SW7k
ā Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 10, 2018
The story became more than a feel-good story on Tuesday night when Ingram took to the court. The swingman connected on four of his five threes and finished with 19 points, all while nearly guiding the Lakers to an upset win over the Western Conference No. 1 seed Houston Rockets.
The moment and the game left an impact across the league and on the Lakers as reactions came pouring in after the game.
AMAZING. #TheRealIngram https://t.co/YRSWRCKqJB
ā Lonzo Ball (@ZO2_) April 11, 2018
Not the result we wanted.. but words canāt describe how happy I am for Dre !! Amazing night for an exceptional human being šš¼
ā Alex Caruso (@ACFresh21) April 11, 2018
Andre Ingram! What a night man.
ā Tyler Ennis (@TylerEnnis) April 11, 2018
Dre Ingram! Iām inspired!!!!!
ā kuz (@kylekuzma) April 11, 2018
S/O to Andre Ingramā¦ That was inspirational my brotha! Keep it going. Godās got you!
ā Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) April 11, 2018
Even Kobe Bryant gave the veteran a shoutout after the performance.
LOVE IT https://t.co/H80FOjRuhm
ā Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) April 11, 2018
The performance resulted in the Lakers giving Ingram the game ball following the game. According to Elias Sports, Ingramās 19 points in his Laker debut as a rookie are third-most by a Laker rookie all-time, trailing Jerry Westās 26 points, Nick Van Exelās 20 points and Magic Johnsonās 19 points.
No matter how you spin it, it was an incredibly memorable night and a fun topper to a pleasantly surprising season.
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