Fansided

Report: Serge Ibaka confirms he’s out for the remainder of the playoffs

By Trisity Miller

Apr 26, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 26, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Serge Ibaka (9) drives to the basket past Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph (50) during game four of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at FedExForum. Thunder defeated the Grizzlies 92-89. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Despite Oklahoma City Thunder head coach Scott Brooks reiterating that Serge Ibaka will be out for the remainder of the NBA Playoffs, the San Antonio Spurs players think the exact opposite.

But Serge Ibaka shut down any though that he’ll be playing the playoffs, let alone the Western Conference finals in a post on his personal blog:

"As you all know, I suffered an injury in the sixth game of the Conference Semifinals against the Los Angeles Clippers. This means I am not able to play in the Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. It’s a difficult moment because this is the most important time of the year. All the work done during the summer and preparation during the season is focused on being ready and at your best when the Playoffs arrive, so it’s obviously disappointing not to be able to help my team on the court. But injuries are part of the game and the only way to go through this is to stay positive and try to be healthy as soon as possible.via Cheering for my team / Animando a mi equip"

As you know this is bad news for the Thunder. Game 1 perfectly exemplified why Serge Ibaka is the third most important player on this club. The way he roams the paint forces teams to take shots they don’t want. Without Ibaka, the San Antonio Spurs got every shot they wanted, all coming without worry as the Thunder lack a threat to protect the rim. Nick Collison has always been an undervalued player, but his impact comes in ways you usually don’t find on a box score. Kendrick Perkins is Kendrick Perkins and Steven Adams, while showing he is an able shot blocker just isn’t ready yet. This leaves OKC at a disadvantage that may be impossible for Scott Brooks to figure out.

With Ibaka out, this is proof that luck plays a huge factor in teams pursuing championships. While the Thunder have lost one of their three best players in the last two playoffs, teams like San Antonio and Miami have dodged the injury bug to one of their marquee players.

Based on how the series has played out so far, luck will be the reason Kevin Durant has missed out on the NBA Finals. And that sucks. Get well soon Ibaka.