The Oklahoma City Thunder will not begin their Western Conference finals showdown with the San Antonio Spurs at anywhere close to full strength.
Thunder power forward Serge Ibaka is expected to miss the rest of the postseason after suffering a calf injury in Oklahoma City’s series-clinching win Thursday night against the Clippers, the team announced Friday.
Ibaka has averaged 12.2 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 13 playoff games.
The Spurs will open the series at home Monday in Game 1 with health concerns of their own, as star guard Tony Parker continues to recover from a hamstring strain. But coach Gregg Popovich said Friday that Parker is hopeful of being ready for the opener, whereas Oklahoma City will greatly miss Ibaka, its interior defensive anchor.
Oklahoma City swept its four regular-season meetings with the Spurs, who went 62-16 against the rest of the league for the NBA’s best record this season.