The Oklahoma City Thunder announced Friday that starting power forward Serge Ibaka is expected to miss the remainder of the postseason with a left calf injury.
Ibaka left Thursday's Western Conference semifinals series-clinching win over the Los Angeles Clippers in the third quarter and did not return. An MRI on Friday confirmed the injury.
"We are obviously disappointed for Serge, as he is a tremendous competitor, and we know how badly he wants to be on the court with his teammates," said Thunder general manager Sam Presti.
Ibaka has been an extremely important piece for the Thunder, who reached their third Western Conference finals in the last four seasons. The fifth-year big man averaged a career-high 15.1 points and 8.8 rebounds this season while leading the league in total blocked shots for the fourth straight year with 219 swats.
The 24-year-old averaged 12.2 points and 7.3 rebounds in this year's playoffs.
Nick Collison is expected to take Ibaka's spot in the starting lineup.
The Thunder visit San Antonio in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals on Monday.
[SportsNetwork.com]
