Serge Ibaka undergoes back surgery, will miss rest of playoffs

Los Angeles Clippers center Serge Ibaka underwent surgery on his back Thursday, the team announced in a press release Friday afternoon. He will be out of the remainder of the playoffs.

This is a significant blow to the Clippers, who are down 2-0 to the Utah Jazz after two closely-fought games in Salt Lake City. Ibaka averaged 11.1 points and 6.7 rebounds per game in the regular season, and appeared in two postseason games against the Dallas Mavericks in the first round.

Ivica Zubac, Marcus Morris and Nicolas Batum will likely assume the center position in a platoon role as LA tries to bounce back from their second consecutive two-game series deficit.