Clippers center Serge Ibaka underwent surgery to address his troublesome back injury on Thursday in Los Angeles, the club announced today in a press release.
The Clippers said in their statement that Ibaka is expected to make a full recovery, but he’ll miss the rest of the 2021 postseason, regardless of how far L.A. advances.
It’s a tough break for Ibaka and for the Clippers, who had been counting on the big man’s two-way versatility and championship experience to be valuable in the postseason. His back issues have been a persistent issues this year though.
Ibaka played two games late in the regular season after being sidelined for two months due to that injury. The 31-year-old admitted to the media just after the regular season ended that he’s been dealing with a nerve issue in his back all season and that it hasn’t fully healed.
Ibaka has a player option worth $9.7MM for 2021/22. If he were 100% healthy, he’d likely turn down that option in search of a raise, but in the wake of his surgery, picking it up looks like the safer play.
With Ibaka on the shelf, Ivica Zubac and DeMarcus Cousins should continue to see minutes at the five. However, Zubac and Cousins have only combined for about 24-25 minutes in each of the first two games vs. the Jazz, as head coach Tyronn Lue has used smaller, forward-heavy lineups without a true center.
He would be crazy not to take the option because nobody is giving him a contract after back surgery.
The thing is, are we talking about a 31 y.o. man? There has always been issues about the age of these african youngsters, especially in soccer
Lol funny you say that. He has always seemed older than his listed age to me.
ESPN Zach Lowe believe that he is older than listed age
People don’t get how inexact the science of determining age is, or identity in travelling. Its mostly the honor system.
If Kawhi opts out, Clippers have $5 million cap room to sign free agents
Lakers and Clippers are declining
Reggie Jackson could get 3 year $30 million contract
Lakers are edging, albeit on a steep and dangerous cliff
Clippers are a tick/wrong facial expression away from a 7 year rebuild
I expect Ballmer already has a Swiss bank account for KL tho and they will just be working out the numbers here soon –
Shame, a blow-up would be fun for NBA fans, but as I think more, there’s too much money in this new arena too see KL walk
Not edging, more like teetering on that steep and dangerous cliff.
Sure Wally, but the views nice and the team will be a contender next year.
Things could be…..Nvm
Not good. Back is not something you come back from. Clippers got no luck. Time to see if Cousins can help.
Nope. Not at all.
– Michael Porter Jr.
Porters back always seems to flare up when his on court performances diminish a little bit.
I don’t doubt they are a problem, but getting a read on the extent is murky ( & one that he should probably start being more quite about as Payday is right around the corner)
Time to see if Cousins can help. Help them get swept by Utah.
Kawhi to the Warriors lol
Don’t be mean to Marty, let him live in his fantasy world.
That is probably why LAC are 2-0 down, playin’ without a center is just not a good idea, specially when your opponent does play with a big center all the time… Lue you gotta wake up & play big, only way to win at hoops!
Foolish to leave the raptors…