Oklahoma City will be without their starting center for three weeks.
Oklahoma City center Steven Adams sustained a right hand injury during the Thunder’s 131-108 shellacking of the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, and the team announced Monday that he will be out for three weeks after undergoing successful surgery to address the ailment.
Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams underwent successful surgery today to address a fracture in the fourth metacarpal of his right hand, Thunder Executive Vice President and General Manager Sam Presti announced.
The procedure was performed by Thunder team physicians at McBride Hospital in Oklahoma City. Adams will be re-evaluated in three weeks, at which time a further update will be provided.
Luckily for Oklahoma City, this years All-Star break is about a week long, so if there was ever an ideal time for a key player to have an injury it would be now. OKC will only play nine games in the next three weeks due to the extended break, so Adams won’t be missing too many contests. Still, the Thunder can’t be thrilled about having their starting center on the sideline as they are in the midst of a fierce chase for the Western Conference’s 8th and final playoff spot.
The Thunder are currently tied with the New Orleans Pelicans for the 9th seed, and both teams trail the Phoenix Suns by 2 and a half games for the 8th seed.
Adams, who was slated to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge during All-Star Weekend, will be replaced in the competition by Denver Nuggets big man Jusuf Nurkic.
@wcboyer24
