Steven Adams left game against Rockets with knee contusion

Steven Adams left Oklahoma City’s game against Houston with 6:45 to play in the fourth quarter and did not return.

After the game, Erik Horne of The Athletic tweeted that the Thunder confirmed that Adams had suffered a knee contusion.

Thunder says it’s a left knee contusion for Steven Adams.

Adams tried to play through, but Billy Donovan said Adams came to him in the fourth quarter and said he had to take him out.

— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) October 29, 2019

Adams played 27 minutes but was a virtual non-factor on offense, scoring just six points.

Like they did when they were teammates, Adams and Russell Westbrook battled for rebounds, but Adams did make his presence felt. He pulled down 12 rebounds with 10 of those coming on the defensive glass.

Erik Horne of The Athletic noticed that Adams spent a lot of time between the tunnel and the exercise bike earlier in the second half.

Steven Adams has been going back-and-forth between the tunnel and the exercise bike during timeouts. Thunder staff checking him out in the tunnel.

— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) October 29, 2019

After coming out for the final time, Horne noted that Adams was no longer in the tunnel and not likely to return.

Adams not even in the tunnel now, so Thunder is riding this out without him. https://t.co/bypPqiZlO9

— Erik Horne (@ErikHorneOK) October 29, 2019

 

Adams had a stellar preseason, but has had a sluggish start to the regular season. He’s started all four games, but is averaging just six points in 27.3 minutes of game time.