Most people are proud of themselves when they’ve accomplished something new.
Steven Adams is no different.
In Monday’s 104-90 win over the Utah Jazz, Adams had a career-defining moment: he took the first charge of his career.
The play happened with just under 6:30 to play the third quarter and the Thunder leading 64-57. With Adams guarding him, Rudy Gobert crossed over and started to drive towards the basket, lowering his shoulder into Adams’ chest as he went.
Adams hit the deck, the whistle blew, and the first charge Adams ever took was called.
We should probably show the actual play 😂 pic.twitter.com/4auiyEVYNc
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) December 10, 2019
Adams was immediately elated, smiling, fist-pumping and high-fiving his teammates on the bench.
He recorded another double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 13 rebounds, but everyone on Monday paled in comparison to the charge.
After the game, Adams made it clear to reporters that taking his first charge in seven years was a headline-worthy event.
“However, did you guys see the charge?” Adams said. “That’s the first one of my career. I don’t usually brag, but it’s the first one of my career. Seven years. So, write about that please. Screen shot it. Whatever you guys got to do. Send it to me.”
Steven Adams ended his postgame interview with:
"Did you guys see the charge? That’s the first one of my career. I don’t usually brag, but it’s the first one of my career. 7 years. So, write about that please. Screen shot it. Whatever you guys got to do. Send it to me."
— Maddie Lee (@maddie_m_lee) December 10, 2019
Maddie Lee of The Oklahoman did note that Jazz head coach, Quin Snyder, did try to “steal the moment” by issuing a coach’s challenge. But the call was confirmed and no one can ever take that charge away from Steven Adams.