Andre Ingram: 'Atmosphere was electric' in long-awaited NBA debut

The NBA's latest debutante, 32-year-old G League lifer Andre Ingram, shares more in common with the Association's elder statesmen than the teenagers who comprise the bulk of the 2017-18 rookie class.

So, even though Ingram was only making his NBA debut Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers guard had essentially already paid his dues in full.

"Everyone was like, 'Man, when you get it, just let it go,'" Ingram said after the Lakers' 105-99 loss to the Houston Rockets, according to ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk. "Everyone was like that. All the players, all the coaches."

And let it go Ingram did. The G League's all-time leader in 3-pointers made quickly set about introducing the senior circuit to his ace skills from beyond the arc, nail four of five 3-point attempts.

Ingram finished with 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, with three rebounds, three blocks, an assist, and a steal for good measure. If not for a layup from fellow rookie Josh Hart with just 3:15 left in the game, Ingram would've led the Lakers in scoring.

The drama of the moment - his moment - wasn't lost on Ingram.

"From the team warm-ups, the atmosphere was electric. You could feel something in there. MVP chants (while at the free-throw line) that's just crazy," he said.

But regardless of his moment in the spotlight, Ingram won't forget the long journey through minor-league basketball that brought him here.

"It's been a joy. Ten years in the D League, but it wasn't like 10 hateful years or years I didn't enjoy," said Ingram. "I enjoyed my time in the league and all of my teammates, and I heard from every one of them."

But the story doesn't have to end yet. The Lakers have one more game this season - against the rival Los Angeles Clippers, no less - just enough time for sport's latest Cinderella story to take in one more dance.