Former Toronto Raptors star Brandon Ingram has a serious injury

It seems the Toronto Raptors may have dodged a bullet in their trade for Kawhi Leonard.

A report came out of Los Angeles Clippers Media Day on Monday that former Raptors All-Star Brandon Ingram will miss the start of the 2026-27 season after suffering a partially torn Achilles tendon.

The Clippers said their medical staff discovered the severity of the injury ahead of training camp, and Ingram won't be ready to start the season with his new team.

"I had been dealing with some pain throughout the year with the Raptors, especially coming down crunch time with the Raptors," Ingram told reporters Monday.

Brandon Ingram on his offseason surgery and partially torn Achilles:

"I had been dealing with some pain throughout the year with the Raptors, especially coming down crunch time with the Raptors. I didn't quite know what it was. Near the end of the season, we figured out what it… pic.twitter.com/FlNR1MDZF0

— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) September 28, 2026

"I didn't quite know what it was. Near the end of the season, we figured out what it was, and surgery was the best thing to do."

Earlier this month, the Raptors dealt Ingram, Gradey Dick and four future draft picks to the Clippers in exchange for Leonard.

Last season, Ingram helped Toronto finish with a 46-36 record, the team's best mark in four years. The 29-year-old also had an All-Star-calibre campaign, averaging 21.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Ingram missed several regular-season games late in the year after suffering an apparent heel injury. He tried to return during Toronto's first-round playoff series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the injury appeared to affect his play on both ends of the court.

He ended up missing both Games 6 and 7 of the series.

Brandon Ingram missed two playoff games for the Toronto Raptors after suffering an apparent heel injury in late March. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)

Although Ingram underwent surgery on his heel following the season, well before the trade was made, it now appears the injury was more serious than the Raptors initially thought.

Ingram said he has been on the court "a little bit" over the past few weeks, but he won't participate in the Clippers' training camp.

The Clippers have not provided a timeline for Ingram's return, saying his injury will be re-evaluated when the 2026-27 NBA season begins.