Adams' double-double paces Thunder

Steven Adams in action last year against Golden State Warriors. Photo: Reuters
Steven Adams in action last year against Golden State Warriors. Photo: Reuters

It seems Steven Adams has well and truly recovered from the concussion that last week saw him stuck on the sidelines.

The Thunder centre this afternoon recorded a double-double in Oklahoma City's 114-105 victory over New Orleans, appearing back near his physical best.

Along with Russell Westbrook, who led the way with his 23rd triple-double this season, Adams was the key contributor to a win that lifted the Thunder to a 27-19 record.

The Kiwi shot nine-of-16 from the field to score 20 points while pulling down 11 rebounds, making the most of a first-half injury suffered by Pelicans big man Anthony Davis. Adams also added three assists and four blocks in 32 minutes of court-time, showing no ill effects after his enforced two-game break.

The double-double was Adams' eighth this year and only three other players in the current campaign have recorded a line matching or exceeding his 20/11/3/4: Davis, Karl-Anthony Towns and Kevin Durant.

Westbrook, meanwhile, remained on pace to average a triple-double throughout the season, scoring a game-high 27 points, grabbing 12 rebounds and dishing out 11 assists in a game Oklahoma City led from start to finish.

The victory kept the Thunder ahead of the Grizzlies (27-20) in sixth place in the Western Conference, remaining within touch of the Clippers (30-17) and the Jazz (29-18).

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