After being announced as available for Sunday’s contest against the Washington Wizards, just prior to tip-off, The Athletic’s Erik Horne reported on intel received from a Thunder spokesperson: Steven Adams has been ruled out for the contest.
Adams fell awkwardly on his left leg against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. Although the Thunder were able to win the contest, though, Adams was held out of Friday’s loss to the Grizzlies with what the team referred to as a “sore left leg.”
The team expected Adams to return to the lineup against the Grizzlies on Sunday and were confident enough in that fact to remove him from the injury report, however, after going through pregame warmups, Adams and the team’s medical staff concluded that its best bet was to remove him from the lineup.
Per a Thunder spokesman, a couple of late scratches: Nerlens Noel (right ankle soreness) and Steven Adams (left lower leg contusion) are both out against the Wizards. Adams went through pregame but is still a little sore. Thunder being cautious.
— Erik Horne (@ErikkHorne) August 9, 2020
As a result, Adam will miss his second consecutive game on Sunday. The Thunder will attempt to defeat the Washington Wizards without him.
On a related note, Nerlens Noel was also scratched from the lineup with “right ankle soreness.”
Horne’s report describes the absences as the Thunder being “cautious” with their big men.