Clippers’ Serge Ibaka Undergoes Back Surgery, Ruled Out For Series Against Jazz
Jun 11, 2021, 3:14 PM | Updated: 3:21 pm
(Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka underwent season-ending back surgery and won’t play in the team’s postseason series against the Utah Jazz.
The Jazz currently own a 2-0 series lead over the Clippers.
On June 11, the Clippers announced that Ibaka had undergone back surgery and would be out for the remainder of the NBA Playoffs.
Ibaka was absent from Los Angeles’ lineup in the first two contests of the Western Conference Semifinals against Utah.
Serge Ibaka will not return in this series. https://t.co/d5LPbpXdK5
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) June 11, 2021
During 41 regular season games, Ibaka averaged 11.1 points per game on 51.0 percent shooting.
In three games agains the Jazz, he recorded 10.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 assists. The Jazz won two of the three regular season matchups with the Clippers.
Ibaka only played in two of Los Angeles’ postseason games during the first round against the Dallas Mavericks.
Against the Mavs, Ibaka averaged 5.0 points on 50.0 percent shooting in nine minutes per contest.
Game 3 between the Jazz and Clippers is scheduled to take place in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 12.
Back in LA on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/0QKJVLJy3k
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) June 11, 2021
The contest will tip-off at 6:30 p.m. (MDT) on ABC.