Adams says right hand, arm are ‘fine’

If you want to talk basketball, Steven Adams is your man.

In fact, he’s got you covered on any number of topics.

The Thunder center can break down a pick-and-roll coverage in detail or be quick with a quip about an opponent’s haircut. On topics from zoo animals to anime, Adams can be widely and wildly conversant.

Ask about his health, though, and he gets considerably less chatty.

So it was no surprise Thursday when Adams, who takes most every topic head on, dodged questions about whether he’s having pain in his right hand. Or wrist. Or shoulder.

In Wednesday’s 102-95 Game 2 loss to the Jazz, Adams at least once wrapped his right hand in ice when he wasn’t playing, peeling off that wrap before he re-entered the game.

His right shoulder showed the telltale round bruises that come with cupping, a suction therapy that’s used to increase blood flow and muscle relaxation and sometimes to aid with pain and/or inflammation.

“We’ll go with muscle relaxation,” Adams said when given a list of reasons why he might employ cupping.

He rejected a follow-up question about whether the therapy is because of his shoulder.

“I’m not disclosing any of that information,” Adams said. “I’m fine.”

Adams is averaging 10.5 points and seven rebounds in 29.3 minutes per game in the Thunder’s firstround Western Conference playoff series with the Jazz, which is tied 1-1 as it shifts to Salt Lake City on Saturday.

But since a late fourthquarter dunk in Game 1 that left Adams grimacing and holding his right hand, it has appeared that Adams is dealing with pain in his right arm or hand.

Still, Adams shot 4-of-5 in Game 2 after making 4 of 9 shots in Game 1, and if he’s ailing, the Thunder isn’t saying.

“The one thing I would say about our guys that I respect is that when those guys go on the floor and play, whatever ailments they’re having or dealing with, they’re certainly cleared to play,” Thunder coach Billy Donovan said. “This time of year I think probably nobody feels great, but there was nothing that I’m aware of that’s limiting Steven.”

Adams was no more forthcoming when asked on Thursday about his hand and wrist.

“I’m fine,” Adams said. “Guys, I’m fine. I’m fine. I’m good.”

Slow starts, quick response

Yes, the Thunder would like to start games better than it has against the Jazz.

No, it’s not Donovan’s highest priority.

Though the Jazz jumped out to a 16-4 lead in Sunday’s Game 1 and led 9-0 early in Game 2, Utah has outscored the Thunder by a half a point on average in the first quarter.

Game 1 was tied after a quarter at 25-25. Oklahoma City tied Game 2 at 9-9 and trailed 26-25 entering the second quarter. And though the Thunder hopes to get out of the gate faster in Salt Lake City, it’s not at the top of the to-do list.

“In both games we’ve responded,” Donovan said. “But certainly you want to start the game much, much better than we have the first two games here at home. You want to get off to a good start. But clearly it’s not like it’s been the first quarter has doomed either team.”

Tip-ins

The Thunder is 4-2 all-time in playoff series in which it splits the first two games at home. … The Jazz, scheduled to fly back to Salt Lake City after Game 2, instead spent Wednesday night in Oklahoma City after mechanical issues with the team plane. The team arrived in Salt Lake City around noon central time on Thursday, The Salt Lake Tribune reported.