What happened: Brandon Ingram underwent heel surgery that included repair of a partially torn Achilles tendon. He carried his heaviest single-season minutes load during a tight Eastern Conference playoff race. His mobility appeared limited by the postseason.

Why it matters: Eastern playoff positioning left little margin to sit during his heaviest workload season. Playing through the tendon issue provides context for his diminished postseason effectiveness.

What to watch: Watch for offseason recovery updates ahead of the 2026-27 season.