The tumultuous 2017-18 NBA season continues for the Oklahoma City Thunder. The skeptics have been louder than ever after narrowly escaping with a 95-94 win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night.

Fortunately, the Thunder will have some reinforcements for their matchup with the Utah Jazz. According to ESPN's Royce Young, center Steven Adams has cleared the NBA's concussion protocol and will return Wednesday night after missing the past two games:

Related NewsArticle continues below
Denver Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon (32) controls the ball under pressure from Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) as guard Alex Caruso (9) looks on in the fourth quarter during game six of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Ball Arena.
Nuggets’ Aaron Gordon gets huge Game 7 update amid hamstring injury
Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday (4) controls the ball while New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) defends in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at TD Garden.
Jrue Holiday feels like Celtics let Boston down after playoff loss

Outside of the Thunder's “Big 3,” Adams has perhaps been their most integral player this year, averaging 13.7 points and 8.8 rebounds per game thus far. Not only has he been their best perimeter defender, but Adams has made a habit of having his best games on days where Oklahoma City's star-studded trio are unable to get anything going.

While it is nice to have Adams returning to the lineup, the Thunders' struggles this season have gone far beyond any single player. As a result, there has been plenty of speculation regarding the future of Oklahoma City's superstar combination of point guard Russell Westbrook and forwards Paul George and Carmelo Anthony. That said, they will have a chance to get things on track tonight against a Jazz team that also finds itself competing for that eighth spot in the Western Conference.