Oklahoma City is hoping to have a bolstered middle when they host the Miami Heat on Friday night.
According to Joe Mussatto of The Oklahoman, both Steven Adams and Nerlens Noel will be re-evaluated prior to Friday night’s tip-off inside Chesapeake Energy Arena.
A video tweeted out by Maddie Lee showed Noel getting in some post-practice work.
Nerlens Noel (left ankle sprain) getting in some post-practice work: pic.twitter.com/HElJrKCleT
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) January 16, 2020
Noel has missed the last six games with a left ankle sprain. He suffered in the injury in the third quarter of Oklahoma City’s win over the Cavaliers on Jan. 4 when he stepped on the foot of Tristan Thompson while chasing a ball out of bounds.
Billy Donovan told The Oklahoman that Noel has been progressing, saying of his Thursday practice, “obviously he was able to do a lot more today, running around and stuff.”
Adams was injured during the first half of the Thunder’s loss to Toronto on Wednesday night and was ruled out at halftime with a right knee contusion.
Steven Adams (right knee contusion) is out for the rest of the game, per the Thunder.
— Joe Mussatto (@joe_mussatto) January 16, 2020
Donovan said he was “sore” but the Thunder head coach was unsure of where “Adams is physically” ahead of Friday’s game.
Though Mike Muscala played well against the Raptors on Wednesday, without the presence of Adams or Noel, Toronto dominated the points in the paint, 62-48.
Friday’s game will be the first this season between Oklahoma City and the Heat.