Clippers' Serge Ibaka out for season opener at Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers big man Serge Ibaka underwent season-ending back surgery in June. FanNation's Farbod Esnaashari noted last week that Ibaka was close to returning to NBA in-game action but felt it would be unlikely he would be good to go for the regular-season opener at the Golden State Warriors this Thursday. 

According to Baxter Holmes of ESPN, Clippers coach Tyronn Lue confirmed after Tuesday's practice that Ibaka won't play against Golden State. 

Ibaka, 32, recently took part in full 5-on-5 drills in what are hoped to be the closing stages of his recovery. The center, who will look to remain a defensive force once he's back on the court, averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 41 regular-season games for the Clippers during the 2020-21 campaign. 

Lue did have some good news, though, as he announced forward Marcus Morris Sr. will be available against Golden State. Per Andrew Greif of the Los Angeles Times, Morris was slowed by a knee injury in June but did not require offseason surgery to correct the matter. Morris averaged 13.4 points and 4.1 rebounds across 57 contests in 2020-21.