Serge Ibaka may not have been enough to push the Oklahoma City Thunder past the San Antonio Spurs in the Western Conference finals, but they very nearly had to try without him.
Stuck in a 2-0 series hole, Ibaka's Game 3 return sparked a pair of wins for the Thunder before they eventually succumbed to the Spurs in six games.
Would the Spurs have rolled to a sweep if he didn't come back much earlier than expected from his calf strain? We almost found out:
Serge Ibaka said the doctor today told him he was close to getting surgery on his left calf. Said he's glad he didn't.
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) June 1, 2014
Even with that near-surgery diagnosis, Ibaka is confident he'll be able to heal quickly and thoroughly enough to be ready for high-intensity action at the FIBA World Cup at the end of August:
Ibaka said "My hope is to play with the Spanish national team." Added that "I'm sure I'm going to feel better soon."
— Darnell Mayberry (@DarnellMayberry) June 1, 2014
That decision may ultimately be for the Thunder, not Ibaka, to make. The mode of rehabilitation for a plantaris strain is just rest, so if the Thunder don't feel Ibaka is fully recovered, it's unlikely they'd risk having him play in the tournament.
It's a few months away though, perhaps enough time for Ibaka to inch closer to 100 percent.
