LA Clippers: Is Serge Ibaka hinting at a return on Instagram?

The LA Clippers have been fairly successful at playing a Frankenstein’s monster backup center in the absence of Serge Ibaka. DeMarcus Cousins, Patrick Patterson and Marcus Morris have all seen their time at center.

As much as the Clippers have been able to put together a good run of wins without Ibaka, it’s undeniable that they’ll be a more complete team when he comes back. Boogie especially has been decent in that backup big role, but he’d be even better as a third big man.

The LA Clippers’ center woes might be nearing an end, if Serge Ibaka’s Instagram posts are to be believed.

We know that Serge has been progressing in his rehab of a sore back. In April, he posted a video of himself working out with the caption, “A winner is just a loser that tried one more time.” At the time, we thought that might have been signaling an imminent return, but that clearly was not the case.

Now, though, we might have more concrete evidence that Ibaka is close to a return — at least, if you believe the man himself on Instagram! Law Murray, Clippers writer for the Athletic, pointed out on Twitter that Ibaka responded to a question about his status:

In response to somebody asking “HOW IS YOUR BACK FEELING,” Serge responded “It’s getting better every day, I will be back soon.”

It doesn’t get much more clear than “I will be back soon” from the player himself. But that’s not the only information Ibaka has given us via Instagram. Later, while on Instagram Live, Serge told viewers that “I’m doing good; my back is getting better.”

In that video, he doesn’t quite go far as to say that he’ll be back soon, but the gist in the same: his back is getting better, and recovery is going well. This has been an exciting time for the Clippers on Instagram, as Kyle Lowry also had a post that got Clipper Nation talking.

The Clippers will be happy to get Ibaka back whenever his return does happen. In the 39 games he’s played for the Clips this season, Serge is averaging 10.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks on an above-average True Shooting Percentage and above-average PER.

Another steady hand at the center position is exactly what this Clippers team needs as it goes into the playoffs. The return of Ibaka will also let the Clippers always have a big man on the floor who’s a positive on the defensive end. As well as Boogie has filled the backup big role, his defense leaves a lot to be desired.

If Serge Ibaka is telling us the truth, the LA Clippers could get their veteran big back soon, and we may not be facing a postseason without him. Alongside the Patrick Beverley return, this points to the Clippers getting healthy exactly when needed.