A horrific injury to one of Steven Adams closest teammates has overshadowed the Thunder's 121-108 win over the Detroit Pistons' on Sunday (NZ time).
With 4:33 left in the third quarter, Andre Roberson slipped when he tried jumping for the ball and fell hard on his back.
The guard was able to scoot himself off the floor but was in lots of pain. His teammates (most notably Adams) and coaches comforted the 26-year-old while his left arm was put in a black air cast and he was stretchered off the court.
"It’s s***. It’s real s***," Adams said after the match. "He’s a huge part of our team and why we win.
"It’s a huge blow to us but we’re just gonna have to rely on some other players to step up [sic]."
Early reports suspect the defensive specialist has a ruptured patellar tendon- which means he is in danger of missing the remainder of the season. Roberson missed eight games with left patellar tendinitis earlier in the month.
Adams and Roberson have a close relationship as both were drafted during the 2013 NBA draft and both have been playing for the Thunder since.
Despite the injury setback, the Thunder held off a late fight back by the Pistons to record their seventh-straight win.
Adams finished the games with 13 points and seven rebounds, while Russell Westbrook added 31 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
Teammate Carmelo Anthony surpassed the 25,000-point milestone during the match - becoming the 21st NBA player to do so.
The Thunder face the Philadelphia 76ers in their next on Monday (NZ time).
Newshub.
