OKLAHOMA CITY (FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Oklahoma City Thunder big man Serge Ibaka has reaffirmed his desire to play for Spain at the FIBA Basketball World Cup after his "miracle" recovery from a calf injury.

The 24-year-old was on the verge of season-ending surgery after missing the first two games of the Western Conference Finals against the San Antonio Spurs when he felt good enough to return to the court on 25 May to give the Thunder an emotional lift.

Due in large part to his presence, the Thunder struck back and leveled the series but they ended up falling to the Spurs in six games.

Ibaka, who has been named to the All-NBA Defensive First Team, had his final press conference of the season on Wednesday and offered more insight about his injury, and his aim to play at the World Cup.

"Like I always say, it's a miracle," Ibaka said of his recovery.

"Today, I was talking with the team doctor and he said I was almost about to get surgery. So I was close, about to get surgery, but it did not happen."

Ibaka says no medical reason was given for the improvement of his calf that allowed him to play.

"When it's a miracle, you don't know, only God knows," he said.

"So if you gonna ask him what happened, because I don't know. Doctor, I talked to him today, he don't know. He was thinking I was about to get surgery. If he don't know, I don’t know."

The return of Ibaka made headlines, with his Thunder teammate, NBA MVP Kevin Durant, among those who cited his courage and determination.

"The first game when I get back, I was very hurt," Ibaka said.

"I was playing with pain. If you saw, because I saw the video, I saw myself, it was not really me. I was dragging playing defense, almost using one leg. All the time, using my right leg.

"But I felt, being on the court, my presence was going to help my teammates. Gonna help them. So I wanted to just do whatever it takes to give my teammates confidence."

The World Cup will be staged from 30 August to 14 September in Spain.

Ibaka made it clear he wants to play.

"Yeah, I'm sure I'm going to feel better soon," Ibaka said.

"I'm going to keep doing the same thing I've been doing in the playoff and see.

"My hope is to play with the Spanish national team, but let's see how my leg is going to feel the next couple weeks."

Ibaka helped Spain capture the title at EuroBasket 2011 in Lithuania and also played on their side that finished runners-up to the USA at the 2012 Olympics in London.

Spain will play in Group A of the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Granada against France, Serbia, Brazil, Iran and Egypt.

FIBA