Coaching staff, New Orleans Pelicans star had locker room argument during series loss to Thunder

The New Orleans Pelicans’ season ended after being eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs by the Oklahoma City Thunder. Given that the Thunder were the top seed in the Western Conference, this result was expected. But that doesn’t mean the Pelicans weren’t able to fight their way to the finish line.

According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Pelicans head coach Willie Green and All-Star Brandon Ingram allegedly had a “minor exchange” during halftime of the team’s Game 2 loss to OKC.

Ingram had one request for his head coach.

Ingram told Green “he wanted the ball and wanted coach to help him facilitate that.”

Shams Charania on the Willie Green/Brandon Ingram dispute

For what it’s worth, Ingram ended up receiving more touches in the second half, where he made eight shots compared to just two in the first two quarters. Yet none of that mattered. The Pelicans still lost 124-92 despite Ingram scoring 18 points while shooting 5 of 10 from the floor.

Still, Ingram’s 10 shots were the fewest he made in the Pelicans’ series against the Thunder. He would attempt 17, 10, 14 and 14 shots during the four-game series.

Ingram is entering the final year of his contract with New Orleans and is scheduled to make $36 million in 2024-25. With more contract extension negotiations expected over the summer, expect this “minor trade” to come up at the table.

Related: Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle pleads for more help from referees after Game 2 loss to Knicks