Adams to miss vital game

Steven Adams can’t catch a break at the moment.

The New Zealand centre has barely been used by the Memphis Grizzlies during their enthralling NBA playoff series with the Minnesota Timberwolves, logging just seven minutes in the past four games after playing 24 minutes of game one.

And the 28-year-old won’t be taking to the court for the crucial

solid rebounder and finishes well in the paint. Clearly they liked what they saw in Australia, inking their team option on the first-year pro soon after returning to New Zealand.

‘‘It was a tough year all around for the club, but I feel that I personally got a lot out of it,’’ said Timmins, who stepped straight into Kiwi NBL action with the Otago Nuggets on Thursday night as they were thumped 88-69 at the Nelson Giants.

Meanwhile, Tall Black and Melbourne United guard Shea Ili was named sixth man of the year at the ANBL’s annual awards, and then game six in Minneapolis today either, having entered the NBA’s Health and Safety Protocols.

While the Grizzlies did not reveal the reason why Adams would be absent, the big Kiwi must remain away from the rest of the team until he clears protocols.

The best-of-seven, first-round playoff series is on a knife-edge, with the Grizzlies holding a 3-2 lead.

played his usual important role in helping the defending champions take a 1-0 lead over the Tasmania JackJumpers in their semifinal series.

Ili outpointed Illawarra’s Xavier Rathan-Mayes and Tasmania’s Clint Steindl to be named best bench player and was shaded by just one vote for best defensive player honours by the Hawks’ Antonius Cleveland.

The Breakers had to make do with a consolation prize of sorts at the ANBL awards, with general manager Simon Edwards being named executive of the year.