Raptors forward Serge Ibaka game-time decision for Game 2 vs. Bucks
After dropping Game 1 at home, the Toronto Raptors may have to do without Serge Ibaka in Game 2 against the Bucks.
In what has become an annual playoff tradition, the Toronto Raptors lost Game 1 of their first-round series last Saturday. A dismal second half against the Milwaukee Bucks, as they were outscored 51-32, yielded a decisive 97-83 loss for Toronto.
Serge Ibaka posted a double-double in Game 1 (19 points and 14 rebounds), along with a team-high three blocked shots in 36 minutes of action. But he also suffered a left ankle injury during the game, after landing awkwardly on Giannis Antetokounmpo’s foot. Ibaka then missed practice on Monday.
There doesn’t appear to be any great concern that Ibaka will miss Game 2 on Tuesday night, though he may not be at full strength. But there now seems to be some question if Ibaka will suit up for a critical game.
Ibaka went through shoot around but Casey says he'll be a game-time decision. His left ankle was heavily taped. Would expect him to play
— Josh Lewenberg (@JLew1050) April 18, 2017
Ibaka reportedly went through shootaround Tuesday morning with his ankle heavily taped, but his participation is a good sign for his ability to play. If he is unable to play, Patrick Patterson (16 minutes off the bench in Game 1) would be in line to start with Jakob Poeltl and Lucas Nogueira likely to play more too. Those scenarios all represent a drop-off from Ibaka, especially on the defensive end with the Bucks already posing a huge challenge around the basket.
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Ibaka will surely do everything he can to play Tuesday night, since a loss would put the Raptors in an 0-2 hole as the series moves to Milwaukee. But he seems sure to be limited some, both in effectiveness and playing time, and that’s not ideal for Toronto in a virtual must-win game.