Lakers’ Brandon Ingram impresses at his Summer League opener

Reporting from LAS VEGAS — The cheers kept rising and rising each and every time Brandon Ingram delivered another noteworthy play for the Lakers.

Ingram gave all the Lakers fans who watched him play against the New Orleans Pelicans in his professional debut in the Las Vegas Summer League a lot to hope for during an 85-65 Los Angeles victory.

They saw Ingram display a complete skill set that made the Lakers happy he was their No.2 pick in the NBA draft.

Sure, it’s only the summer and the players are mostly rookies and first-year players, but Ingram was able to affect the game in multiple ways on both sides of the ball.

He defended and shot with confidence, leading to him scoring 12 points on five of nine shooting.

Ingram passed the ball to teammates for easy shots.

He ran the offense when given the opportunity. He blocked shots, using his length to redirect two shots.

Even when he attacked the basket, the slender 6-9, 190-pound Ingram didn’t shy away from contact.

“Talking with these guys [on the Lakers] and talking with the coaches, they always told me to let the game come to me,” Ingram said. “That’s what I did tonight.”

When Ingram made his first shot, the crowd inside Thomas & Mack Center roared its approval. When he followed up that play with a blocked shot using those long arms, the crowd let out another loud cheer.

There were several times when Ingram was allowed to initiate the offense, and he brought the ball up the court with ease, showing point guard skills.

And of course he had his highlight moments.

Ingram drove hard to the hoop and scored with his left hand. He grabbed a rebound, dribbled up the court and used his cross-over dribble to get free of defender Buddy Hield to made a nice, soft jumper.

Ingram came up with a hesitation move, leaving his defender defenseless while driving in for a two-handed dunk, making the fans delirious.

But Ingram was not alone in bringing the Lakers fans some joy.

D’Angelo Russell, last season’s No. 2 pick with the Lakers, was strong with his improved post game, which was a big reason he scored 20 points. Russell had 11 rebounds and six assists, but he also came away impressed by Ingram.

“I think just with the proper guidance, he’ll grow every day,” Russell said of Ingram. “It just looks easy for him. He has the God-given talent, his length, his athleticism. I don’t feel like he’ll struggle.”

Ivica Zubac, the Lakers 32nd pick in the second round, also was solid with 11 points, five rebounds and three blocks.

Larry Nance Jr. said he had been working on his three-pointer all summer.

He proved that was true, making his first three of the game.

Nance had 11 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

broderick.turner@latimes.com

Twitter: @BA_Turner

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