NBA Notes: Raptors, Brandon Ingram, Thunder, Chet Holmgren, Bulls

Raptors

Brandon Ingram is finally healthy — and hungry.

After nearly two lost seasons to ankle injuries and uncertainty, the former All-Star told Eric Koreen of The Athletic that the toughest part wasn’t the pain, but the not knowing.

“Going on two, three months with the ankle, I was like, ‘Damn, I don’t know when I’m going to be back to my normal self.,” he said.

Now 28, Ingram has rebuilt both body and mindset. Michael Grange of Sportsnet writes that Ingram overhauled his offseason routine, focusing on recovery and rest as much as reps.

“I don’t know how to stay out of the gym,” Ingram said. “Every day, I want to do a two-a-day. So it’s about knowing when to rest, when to go hard, when certain days are mental days.”

So far, the changes are working. He’s averaging 22.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3 assists through two games while shooting 47 percent from the field.

“When the game slowed down, everybody was poised,” Ingram told Koreen after Wednesday’s win in Atlanta. “We just got the best shot.”

He’s also become a vocal leader in the locker room.

“I know my vision for where I want to be, and that’s at the top of the league,” Ingram said. “Eventually things are going to take a turn, and it’s going to be the most beautiful thing ever.”

Meanwhile, RJ Barrett didn’t reach an extension with Toronto before the season. Grange reports that Toronto wants to see how Barrett meshes with Ingram and Scottie Barnes before making a long-term call.

“I’m not really thinking about it,” Barrett said. “OK, I lied, I’m thinking about it. But I’m focused on winning first.”

Thunder

Chet Holmgren was questionable before tipoff in Atlanta, scored 14 in the first quarter, then dislocated his thumb in the second. And he still finished with 31 points, 12 boards, and three steals.

He wanted to pop the thumb back in himself and reenter the game, The Oklahoman’s Justin Martinez reported, but the team forced him to get X-rays first. Once cleared, Holmgren kept rolling.

“He’s always ready to go,” coach Mark Daigneault said. “Great competitor. He had great game flow tonight.”

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander called Holmgren “stronger, faster and more explosive” this year, crediting his offseason work.

“With a guy with his natural feel, he’ll just keep getting better,” SGA said.

Gilgeous-Alexander, who has already logged 93 minutes in two double-overtime thrillers, welcomed a lighter night in Saturday’s 117-100 win over the Hawks. He finished with 30 points in 29 minutes and sat the fourth quarter.

“It’s the gauntlet of the NBA season,” he said. “You prepare for the worst, and I think we’ve done that.”

Bulls

Jalen Smith has his opportunity again and it appears he’s not wasting it.

With Zach Collins sidelined after wrist surgery, Smith is back as the Bulls’ primary backup center. The 25-year-old signed a three-year, $27 million deal last offseason but lost his role late in the year after a concussion.

“At the end of the day, this is a big-boy’s league,” Smith said, via Julia Poe of The Chicago Tribune. “You can’t be salty about stuff like that. I got hurt, Zach started playing well. If I was the coach, I would’ve made the same decision.”

Smith struggled in the opener, going 0-for-7, but bounced back two nights later in Orlando with 16 points on 6-of-8 shooting in just 17 minutes.

With Chicago’s bench producing 58 points in the win, Smith’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time.