Lakers rookie Brandon Ingram 'doubtful' for Tuesday's game against Wizards

EL SEGUNDO >> Lakers coach Luke Walton stressed that durability has not been much of a concern for Brandon Ingram.

Among NBA rookies, no one has logged more minutes than Ingram, who has played more than 2,000 in his debut season.

But the 19-year-old forward will likely miss a second consecutive game Tuesday against the Washington Wizards because of patellar tendinitis in his right knee. He is considered doubtful after he did not practice Monday.

The Lakers’ 97-81 loss to Portland on Sunday was the first game he has missed.

“He was playing big minutes,” Walton said, “and he was practicing as hard, if not harder than everyone else out there as far as running the sprints and where he was finishing. So he was playing 40 minutes a night and showing up the next day and busting his tail at practice. For being a rookie, and being a young rookie, it was impressive he made it this far into the season.”

When Ingram was selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft last June, some analysts raised concerns about his rail-thin frame. The Duke product stands 6-foot-9, but weighs below 200 pounds.

Ingram, who was inserted into the starting lineup midseason, has averaged 29.3 minutes per game, including 35.5 this month.

Malcolm Brogdon, a rookie guard with Milwaukee, has the second most minutes among rookies, but 234 less than Ingram when this week began.

The circumstances have largely dictated the reason for the decision to sideline Ingram. The Lakers, who hold the second-worst record in the NBA, will miss the playoffs.

“He’s still not really injured,” Walton said. “We’re just not in the playoffs, so it doesn’t make sense to push him through, although he wants to play. It’s killing him not being out there.”

Walton said they are waiting for the tendinitis in Ingram’s knee to subside.

Waning focus?

With the Lakers officially missing the postseason for a fourth consecutive season, they can begin a countdown toward the end of their season.

Their last game is April 12 against the Golden State Warriors in Oakland.

Two of the team’s veterans, Luol Deng and Timofey Mozgov, have been shut down for the month, but Walton said he expected his young team to retain focus for the final stretch.

“Because we’re young, we should be more engaged,” Walton said. “I get it when veterans check out. It’s a long season. They’ve been around. For our young guys, this is all opportunities. As a coaching staff and front office people, we’re still evaluating. You’re not doing yourself any favors if you check out.”

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It remains an audition.

“For us young guys, we got to get working, trying to get this thing right,” said Jordan Clarkson, a third-year guard.

Over the final weeks, Walton said he hoped to see defensive improvement. The Lakers have allowed 112.1 points per game, the third worst in the league.

Zubac for 3

Ivica Zubac was lingering on the practice court at Toyota Sports Center on Monday.

The rookie center gathered in one corner with teammate Tyler Ennis and launched a handful of attempts from 3-point range.

Walton, who was on the opposite sideline with reporters, nodded in Zubac’s direction.

“He can make it,” Walton said.

Against the Trail Blazers on Sunday, Zubac tried twice, but missed both.

The 7-foot-1 Zubac had previously attempted only one 3-pointer in a game. Walton sounded open to the possibility of him shooting from beyond the arc at some point in the future.

“But if you go 0 for 2 in a game, we have to tighten that leash up a little bit,” Walton quipped.