Steven Adams has played a helping hand in a significant win on his NBA return.
The Kiwi centre had some key moments down the stretch in a solid performance in his first game back after suffering a concussion, as the Oklahoma City Thunder toppled the Utah Jazz 97-95 this afternoon.
With the Thunder holding a slender 91-90 lead, Adams blocked Jazz big man Derrick Favors before sprinting down the other end to lay in a bucket. After Utah answered back, Adams followed it with an offensive rebound which led to two Russell Westbrook free-throws, giving the Thunder a three-point lead.
Jazz star Gordon Hayward hit a three to tie the game with 10 seconds left, but Westbrook hit the game-winning jumper with assistance from an incredibly illegal moving screen from Adams, which the referees missed and sealed the victory for the Thunder.
Adams finished with nine points on 4/10 shooting, six rebounds and four blocks in 37 minutes of action.
Westbrook notched yet another triple double - his 22nd of the season and 59th all time - putting up 38 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists on 11/29 shooting.
The Thunder move to 26-19 on the season, sitting sixth in the Western Conference. They next face the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday.