12 Steven Adams C

Adams managed eight points (3-7 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 2-4 FT), seven rebounds, one assist, five blocks and one steal across 24 minutes in Tuesday's 96-86 preseason win over the Nuggets.

The 24-year-old was unsurprisingly a defensive force, recording multiple blocks for the second consecutive exhibition and turning in a solid effort on the boards as well. Adams has served as an effective complement to the Thunder's new Big Three of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony during the exhibition slate and will look to continue in that role in the regular season. Although he isn't likely to approach the career-high 11.3 points he averaged last season, Adams should still serve as an above-average source of rebounds, blocks and steals for fantasy owners.

Adams (back) was a full participant in Thursday's practice, Royce Young of ESPN.com reports.

Adams left Tuesday's preseason game against the Rockets with a back injury, but it looks as if it was a minor one. His status for Friday's exhibition against the Pelicans is yet to be determined, but it wouldn't be surprising if the team exercised caution with their starting big man over the next week or so.

Adams left Tuesday's preseason contest against the Rockets after suffering a back injury, Royce Young of ESPN reports.

Adams was pulled down by the Rockets' James Harden on a pump-fake and subsequently headed to the locker room. The Thunder were expected to exercise caution here, given it is just an exhibition game, so the severity of the injury is still unclear. Expect the team to provide clarity on the situation before their next game against the Pelicans on Friday.

Adams finished with 18 points (8-10 FG, 2-5 FT), seven rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and one steal in 37 minutes during Sunday's 113-109 loss to the Rockets in Game 4.

Adams scored more points in Sunday's Game 4 than he had in the rest of the series combined, and this was also the first time this series that he saw more than 28 minutes. Adams will likely need to play at this type of level for the Thunder to have any chance at making a comeback against the Rockets, who enter Tuesday's Game 5 in Houston boasting a 3-1 lead.

Adams provided 16 points (6-7 FG, 4-6 FT), 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block across 35 minutes in a 110-94 win over the Kings on Saturday.

After a stretch where he was limited to single-digit points in four of five games, Adams has heated up since March 9. In his five contests since then, Adams has put up no fewer than 10 points in any contest while also chipping in 7.6 boards, 1.6 steals and 1.2 assists per contest. It probably represents the extent of Adams' upside as a scorer so long as Russell Westbrook remains healthy, but the 23-year-old looks like he's returned to form as a reliable, albeit low-upside fantasy option at center.