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In a statement released today by the Oklahoma City Thunder, rising star center Steven Adams will be inactive tonight against the New York Knicks. Adams, who was injured last night in overtime against the Philadelphia 76ers, was placed in the NBA's concussion protocol by the Thunder and will be re-evaluated tomorrow.
According to a video tweeted Saturday by NBA writer Royce Young of ESPN, Adams is believed to have suffered the concussion on this play when he was hit in the head by 76ers star center Joel Embiid.
Steven Adams is out tonight for the Thunder. He is in the league’s concussion protocol after taking a hit against the Sixers last night. This is the play it happened on. pic.twitter.com/qlXzDaQkEj
— Royce Young (@royceyoung) December 16, 2017
Not having Adams in the lineup is going to be huge tonight for the Thunder in terms of their post scoring and defense. His game's development over the years continues has his as one of the NBA's most underrated big man and he seems to only be getting better.
In 25 starts this season, the 24-year-old center is currently averaging 13.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocked shot per game in roughly 32.6 minutes of action per contest.
It looks like the Thunder will have to go to backup center Dakari Johnson in order to fill in for Adams, as Oklahoma City will be matched up against Knicks center and former Thunder player Enes Kanter. Also look for power forward Patrick Patterson to see an increase in minutes with Adams inactive.