Do the Thunder still have a shot at making the playoffs?
Since having a breakout year last season, Serge Ibaka’s numbers and productivity have dropped some, but not significantly. Royce Young of ESPN has revealed the 25-year-old point guard is set to undergo a knee procedure to address some soreness his battling with. The Oklahoma City Thunder is currently in a playoff race for the 8th and final spot with the New Orleans Pelicans, who own a tie breaker with their rival.
It never crossed our mind to think Ibaka could be playing injured; but after persistent soreness, he’s gone to see a specialist – with the possibility of a minor surgery. Russell Westbrook has kept the team in the post-season hunt, putting together one of the most impressive runs we’ve ever seen in our lifetime but will need Serge’s presence if they make the playoffs. The league’s 2014 former MVP Kevin Durant, who’s missed 39 games of the season, is expected to return to action as early as this Wednesday against the Boston Celtics.
The team is hoping the surgery remains minor, which will keep him out action for only two to three weeks, in time for a first-round match-up against the Golden State Warriors. Any other findings regarding significant damage to his knees, could result in them potentially missing the playoffs entirely and change the landscape of the Western Conference. We’ll keep you up to date regarding the story, when more details surface.
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