Oklahoma City Thunder big man Steven Adams will be held out of Tuesday night's road game against the Atlanta Hawks due to a left hip contusion, according to a report from Royce Young of ESPN.com. With Adams ruled out, Thunder head coach Billy Donovan has elected to give Dakari Johnson a starting nod.
Steven Adams is out tonight. Dakari Johnson is starting in his place.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 13, 2018
Adams' injury occurred during the third quarter of Monday's 106-101 win over the Sacramento Kings. The New Zealand-born center recorded six points, six rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes before colliding with Sacramento's Zach Randolph. Two days earlier, Adams hurt his left ankle in the third quarter of a game against the San Antonio Spurs and did not return.
Without a doubt, Adams is an important piece in Oklahoma City's metaphorical puzzle. He's made 64 appearances with the Thunder this season, averaging 13.7 points (career-high) on 63.5 percent shooting from the field, 8.9 rebounds and 1.0 assist.
In other Thunder lineup news, Carmelo Anthony is expected to play after being rested earlier this month.
“Trying to focus in a little more,” Anthony recently told ESPN, referring to Oklahoma City's Playoff hunt. “Realize this is a pivotal time of our season and what we have to do and what we're trying to accomplish. Trying to get some momentum going into the postseason and finishing the regular season strong.”
Carmelo Anthony is playing tonight.
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) March 13, 2018
The Thunder — now the 2nd-ranked team in the Northwest Division with a 40-29 overall record — have won three straight games and seven of their last ten.
Tuesday night's game between the Thunder and Hawks is set to tip inside Philips Arena at 7:30 p.m. EST.
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