NBA: Steven Adams' big effort in vain as Oklahoma City fall to Sacramento Kings

Steven Adams and Russell Westbrook.
Steven Adams and Russell Westbrook. Photo credit: Getty

A Steven Adams double-double couldn't prevent the Oklahoma City Thunder from a second loss of the season against the Sacramento Kings.

The big Kiwi centre pulled down 15 boards and added 11-points as the Kings took a 117-113 win in Sacramento.

OKC struggled on defence, aside from a brief spell in the third quarter to spoil the return of star guard Russell Westbrook who has recovered from a sprained ankle.

The former league MVP dropped 29-points but was poor from behind the arc, making just 4 from 10 attempts, mirroring his teammates as the Thunder made just 12 from 41 on the night.

Oklahoma trailed by as many as 18 midway through the second quarter but battled back to lead with 12 minutes left.

However second year guard Buddy Hield's three three-pointers in the final frame lifted the Kings to a double digit lead with two-minutes to play.

The Kings prized rookie Marvin Bagley III had a game long battle with Adams, scoring a double-double himself grabbing 13 rebounds.

Sacramento kept the Kiwi big man quiet if the fourth quarter, limiting Adams to just one shot attempt.

There was one shining light for OKC however with their rookie guard Hamidou Diallo going perfect from the floor scoring 18-points from seven shots including 2-2 from long range.

The Thunder play again on Thursday (NZT) against the struggling two-time defending NBA champion Golden State Warriors.

Newshub.