Adams limps off with ankle injury

It was a bad night for Steven Adams; but another historic one for his illustrious Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Russell Westbrook.

Adams lasted just nine minutes of the Thunder’s home NBA game against the New Orleans Pelicans − a 101-92 victory − before limping out with a left ankle sprain.

He was unable to return and is now a doubtful starter for OKC’s next game in Atlanta today.

Adams, averaging 10.9 points and 7.8 rebounds for the season, had begun the game brightly with seven points and three rebounds early against the Pelicans as he made all three of his field goal attempts.

He was also the designated primary defender on the NBA’s leading scorer in Anthony Davis (31.5ppg).

He picked up the injury challenging a shot, and left the court on the next dead ball.

It is not the same ankle he sprained in the pre-season that forced him to miss three games.

Adams’ departure did nothing to halt the momentum of Westbrook who continued his frenzy of triple-doubles to propel the Thunder to a fifth victory on the bounce and improve their record to 13-8, and 9-4 at home.

The loss sees the New Orleans Pelicans drop to 7-14.

Westbrook finished with 28 points, 17 rebounds and 12 assists (as well as 10 turnovers) to become the first NBA player since a certain Michael Jordan in 1988-89 to rattle off five triple-doubles in a row.

The only other players to have achieved that feat are Wilt Chamberlain and Oscar Robertson.