Thunder’s injury woes continue with Ibaka set for surgery

Jay Asser 03:46 17/03/2015
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Out of action: Serge Ibaka.

    Oklahoma City Thunder key cog Serge Ibaka will undergo knee surgery for persistent soreness, according to reports.

    After missing the Thunder’s past two games, there is no timetable for how long the forward will be sidelined following surgery, though the expectation is he will be ready for the playoffs, ESPN.com reported.

    Oklahoma City have not confirmed Ibaka will undergo surgery, but said yesterday that he will see a specialist for further evaluation.

    “As we continue to monitor and evaluate the soreness in Serge’s knee, in consultation with his representation, we decided the next best step is to have him travel to New York to see a specialist,” a team spokesman said in a statement. “We will provide an update as appropriate.”

    Ibaka, who’s averaging 14.3 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.4 blocks, is the latest addition to the Thunder’s season-long injury woes which include 39 games missed by reigning MVP Kevin Durant and 15 without star guard Russell Westbrook.

    Durant is still currently on the shelf, recovering from a minor procedure to reduce pain in his surgically repaired right foot, which he broke before the start of the season. He’s expected to return in one to two weeks.

    Ibaka had been the healthiest of Oklahoma City’s trio and before missing the past two contests, he had appeared in every one of the Thunder’s 64 games.

    Not counting his rookie campaign when he was coming off the bench and playing inconsistent minutes, Ibaka had missed a total of three games in his career coming into this season.

    Without Ibaka, Oklahoma City have won two straight, using two different starting lineups. Against the Chicago Bulls on Sunday, big men Steven Adams and Enes Kanter dominated the glass, while against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday, Kanter and rookie Mitch McGary combined for 35 points.

    Recommended