The LA Clippers were hopeful to have Serge Ibaka ready for the start of the 2021-22 NBA season, but that appears to be out the window. Ahead of Wednesday's practice, Ibaka told ClutchPoints he doesn't expect to be ready to play when the Clippers open up their season on October 21st against the Golden State Warriors.

Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue said Ibaka hasn't had the chance to go full contact yet, still going through 3-on-3 games before progressing to five-on-five.

Ibaka has spent the last few months rehabbing after undergoing back surgery in the middle of June.

The center from the Republic of the Congo only played 41 regular season for the Clippers and two playoff games last season as he dealt with repeated back issues. He tried to play through the injury multiple times, but it got to the point where he would have trouble waking up and simply moving around.

The Clippers shut Ibaka down on March 14th, thinking rehab of the injury would work. Unfortunately, it didn't. He returned exactly two months later on May 14th, but was only able to play two regular season and two playoff games before being sidelined again in Game 2 of the first round.

Ibaka was cleared for contact drills and workouts on October 4th, a week into the team's training camp. About nine days later, Ibaka progressed to 3-on-3.

The latest practice showed that Ibaka is indeed progressing towards a return, but conditioning is certainly going to be a factor as he works his way into game shape.

Ibaka was one of the Clippers' key free agents entering this past offseason, but he elected to opt into the second year of his deal, citing unfinished business.

“I didn’t think twice because I’m the kind of person where I don’t give up,” Ibaka said. “I feel like I have unfinished business here, and I want to show Clippers fans the Serge Ibaka they were looking for. What they wanted to see, I feel like I didn’t give that last year. I was like, you know what, I’m going to — I have to finish the job I wanted to start.

“It was not easy personally, but at the end of the day this is a great organization and a great team, so why not?”

Tyronn Lue is still trying to iron out his 10-man rotation to start the season which, as of right now, does not include Serge Ibaka.

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“Not yet, I mean not till we figure out when he's going to be able to play and when he's cleared to play in a game,” Lue said.

In the meantime, Lue says Ibaka has been very anxious to get back on the court and help his Clippers teammates.

“Yeah, he's very anxious. But we gotta be smart. Can't let the player dictate when they want to be on the floor because a lot of times, they're gonna get themselves in trouble because they will play hurt and they will play at 60-70 percent and that's only gonna set you back more. So we gotta make sure he passes all the tests, does all the right things and then just kind of go from there.”

Among the decisions the Clippers still have to make: The battle for the 3rd center to take into their regular season roster. Isaiah Hartenstein and Harry Giles III have both been given opportunities to impress the coaching staff and front office in the preseason. As of right now, it sure feels like Hartenstein has found a nice rapport with Terance Mann and Luke Kennard on that second unit. Giles, however, has been good, too, and it wouldn't be surprising to see either make the final roster.

In his first year with the Clippers, Serge Ibaka averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game. When he finally makes his return, it'll be as a backup to Ivica Zubac and likely ahead of either Hartenstein or Giles.