The medical miracle is completed! Serge Ibaka will start tonight for the Thunder. Here's what Scott Brooks had to say:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="es"><p>Scott Brooks says Serge Ibaka will start tonight.</p>— Royce Young (@royceyoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/royceyoung/statuses/470698151503208448">Mayo 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="es"><p>Brooks says Ibaka will probably be on the stationary bike most of the time when he's not playing.</p>— Royce Young (@royceyoung) <a href="https://twitter.com/royceyoung/statuses/470699091186311168">Mayo 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="es"><p>Scott Brooks: "We expect him to play like Serge plays: block shots, alter shots."</p>— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) <a href="https://twitter.com/anthonyVslater/statuses/470699059724840960">Mayo 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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And here is some footage of Ibaka going through his pregame routine:
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To these untrained eyes it looks like he doesn't have a ton of lift but maybe that's how he takes his shots before the game.
Reggie Jackson will also start in place of Thabo Sefolosha, per the Thunder' official Twitter account:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="es"><p>Thunder starting lineup tonight: Russell Westbrook, Reggie Jackson, Kendrick Perkins, Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka.</p>— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) <a href="https://twitter.com/okcthunder/statuses/470699152670613504">Mayo 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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It seems like Brooks is going all in. A loss in game 3 would pretty much seal the series, so he is making adjustments and is expecting Ibaka to make an impact.
For the Spurs, the changes in the starting lineup present some challenges. One of Duncan or Splitter will have to step outside to guard Ibaka, which could open up room at the rim for Durant, Jackson and Westbrook to drive. Green will likely take Westbrook while Parker will be forced to defend the streaky Jackson.
If Ibaka is healthy enough to play like himself, the starting lineup is clearly better than it was before. What remains to be seen is how Brooks shuffles the minutes around to make sure the bench lineups have a scoring punch. What we know for sure is this development brings even more drama to this series. Unless you are Pop:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="es"><p>Pop having one of *those* pregame pressers. So Berry Tramel hits him up for restaurant recommendations. So much fun.</p>— Jeff McDonald (@JMcDonald_SAEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMcDonald_SAEN/statuses/470703414075469825">Mayo 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
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