Western Conference Finals 2014, Spurs at Thunder: Serge Ibaka will start in game 3

Just over a week ago, the Oklahoma City Thunder were dealt was appeared to be a devastating blow.

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The team announced that power forward Serge Ibaka would miss the remainder of the postseason because of a calf injury he suffered during the Thunder’s game 6 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

However, as the series against the Spurs drew closer, speculation grew that Ibaka would in fact be playing at some point against the Spurs. Although the Thunder continued to refute any report that Ibaka would return and head coach Scott Brooks shot down every question about the subject, the Thunder were in fact trying to get Ibaka back onto the court. Soon, a report surfaced that Ibaka was nearly ready to return to the court.

On Sunday afternoon, Ibaka told reporters that whether or not he would play was his decision.

Obviously, he feels good enough to play.

According to Royce Young of CBS Sports and Daily Thunder, Serge Ibaka will play and is in the starting lineup. Reserve guard Reggie Jackson has also replaced Thabo Sefolosha in the starting lineup alongside Russell Westbrook.

Ibaka averaged 15.1 points, 8.8 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game this season. In four games against the Spurs this season, he put up 14.0 points, 11.5 rebounds and 4.0 blocks per game.