Bird strike likely for Adams’ plane

"Must've been a pretty big bird - a Pterodactyl maybe." Thunder forward Nick Collison

Delta Air Lines says a bird likely caused the damage to the plane carrying the Oklahoma City Thunder basketball side that features Kiwi centre Steven Adams.

The charter flight for the NBA side from Minneapolis to Chicago apparently encountered a bird early when it was landing, causing damage that prompted some players to post photos on social media showing the cavedin nose of the plane.

No injuries were reported. Adams and fellow Thunder players Carmelo Anthony and Josh Huestis all posted photos of the plane shortly after it landed about 12:45am EST.

Adams’ Twitter post said: ‘‘We had a rough flight to say the least.’’

‘‘You never take anything for granted, just be thankful and blessed they we were able to land the plane and everything was OK,’’ Thunder star Russell Westbrook said.

Anthony wrote on Instagram: ‘‘What possibly could we have hit in the SKY at this time of night? Everyone is Safe, Though.’’

Huestis tweeted: ‘‘I guess we hit something? 30,000 feet up...’’

The incident didn’t bother the Thunder in their game against the Bulls yesterday as they cruised to a 101-69 hammering of their hosts.

Adams has 12 points and eight rebounds in his 28 minutes as the starting centre for the Thunder.

Delta Air Lines spokeswoman Elizabeth Wolf said maintenance was evaluating the situation and that the damage was likely caused by a collision with a bird.

She said the Boeing 757-200 landed safely without incident at Chicago’s Midway International Airport.

‘‘Must’ve been a pretty big bird - a Pterodactyl maybe,’’ Thunder forward Nick Collison said.

Collison was watching the show ‘‘Stranger Things’’ when he felt the plane drop for a second like a ‘‘roller-coaster’’.

‘‘It’s one of those moments you bow your head and thank the man above,’’ Westbrook said.

Coach Billy Donovan said he was relieved the incident was not more serious.

‘‘We landed safely. Thank God everybody was safe.’’