NBA: Kiwi star Steven Adams scored close to a career high in points, but it wasn't enough

  • 15/12/2018

A monster first quarter wasn't enough for Kiwi basketballer Steven Adams as his Oklahoma City Thunder went down to the Denver Nuggets.

The big centre scored 26 points which is one off his career high and collected 14 rebounds in OKC's 109-98 loss.

Adams and Nuggets centre Nikola Jokic went head-to-head all game with the Serbian scoring 25 points, 15 rebounds and dishing nine assists.

All-star forward Paul George had a game high 32 points and MVP guard Russell Westbrook struggled only scoring 13 points.

The win sees the Nuggets stay top of the Western Conference and the Thunder one and a half games back sitting in third. 

As part of his game prep, Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams will have thoroughly scouted his opponent and learned everything about his game - except, apparently, his name.

As the Oklahoma City Thunder put final touches to their build-up to face the Denver Nuggets on Saturday (NZT), media quizzed Adams about his personal duel with Serbian counterpart Nikola Jokic.

Like Adams, Jokic is considered one of the best centres in the league, equally adept as a passer as he is as a scorer and rebounder.

"Denver's Nikola Jokic and Oklahoma City's Steven Adams stand at opposite ends of the spectrum as to what defines an NBA centre," trumpets The Denver Post.

But when he was quizzed on his rival's game, Adams needed help to answer the question.

"Steven, you and Nikola have such contrasting styles in how you've found success at the centre position… do you have an appreciation for how Nikola plays the game and sees the floor?"

The big Kiwi appeared confused.

"Nikola Jokic?" repeated the reporter.

"Jokic!" Adams laughed. "I didn't know his first name, mate… Nikola, old mate... yeah, he's a good player."

Jokic is averaging 17.1 points, 9.8 rebounds and 7.6 assists so far this season, while Adams is on course for a career-high 15.6 points and 9.8 rebounds.

Newshub.