What happened: Brandon Ingram has progressed to full-contact basketball activities as he works back from an Achilles injury. The forward addressed his pending return following recent team workouts, emphasizing his focus on helping the rotation execute in late-game situations.

Why it matters: His impending return comes as the Clippers look to halt an early-season slide, having dropped seven consecutive games to sit 13th in the Western Conference. Los Angeles recently fell 117-116 to Miami, highlighting struggles in the closing minutes of tight contests.

What to watch: Ingram remains listed as out while building up his conditioning in full-contact sessions. The team will assess his physical response before establishing a target date for his game debut.