Adams may miss opener

Steven Adams is a doubtful starter for the Oklahoma City Thunder’s NBA season opener against the Golden State Warriors today.

The Thunder’s 25-year-old Kiwi centre has been listed as ‘‘questionable’’ for the second part of the nationally televised double-header that will tip off the new season.

The Boston Celtics will host Eastern Conference rivals the Philadelphia 76ers in the league’s season opener at 1pm (NZ time), followed by the Thunder’s visit to defending champions the Warriors at 3.30pm.

OKC have established a staunch rivalry with the dominant Golden State franchise since their epic seven-game conference finals series in 2016, which was followed by Thunder superstar Kevin Durant joining the Warriors as a free-agent that off-season.

Since then the Warriors have won two straight championships, and three of the last four in total, while the Thunder have languished somewhat, unable to return anywhere near the conference finals stage.

Adams is listed as suffering from lower back stiffness, and will be a game-day decision in Oakland. It’s highly possible he could present clear of pain and take a full part in the contest.

The Thunder will almost certainly head into their season opener without former league MVP and triple-double merchant Russell Westbrook who is still making his way back to full fitness after off-season arthroscopic surgery on his knee.

Westbrook is listed as ‘‘out’’ against the Warriors in the game notes. The dynamic point guard is said by the Thunder to be doing more in practice each day, but has yet to be fully cleared. No chances will be taken with pushing a player of his importance prematurely back into action.

OKC have solid cover at the point this season in the form of accomplished free-agent pickup Dennis Schroder who will start in Westbrook’s absence against the Warriors. He is expected to slip into the backup role once Westbrook is fit for action.