Shocker (not a shocker): Serge Ibaka (calf) apparently has healed enough to be an option.for the Thunder in Game 3 of the Western Conference finals Saturday.
The big man is now listed as day-to-day; exactly a week ago, he was essentially ruled out for the remainder of the playoffs.
MORE: Ibaka-less Thunder helpless in paint | Must-see photos from the series
"His progress in the last several days has been surprising," Thunder GM Sam Presti told reporters Friday, per The Associated Press. "I don't think any of us thought we'd be standing here talking about this. We're grateful that we are."
Rough translation: We're desperate after getting blown out by the Spurs in each of the first two games.
Thunder coach Scott Brooks is trying to not to appear eager to get back his top defender and No. 3 scoring option.
"We're still focusing on trying to beat the Spurs without him playing," Brooks told reporters, per the AP. "That has not changed. I know he's listed as day-to-day, but he is out until I'm told differently."
Hey, it's not as though Spurs coach Gregg Popovich was caught off-guard by any of this.
"We knew he would be back, and that's good," Popovich told reporters per the AP. "Nobody would wish that on anybody to miss a playoff. We've had guys miss playoffs before. It's obviously a downer. If he gets back in — and I'm sure he will, as I've said from the beginning — I think it's great."
Rough translation: Bring it. We're halfway to a sweep.
