New Zealand's Steven Adams is set to enjoy a consistent stint in the Oklahoma City Thunder starting lineup.
The seven-foot centre is expected to step into the starting five in place of the injured Kendrick Perks, who will miss six weeks of the NBA season after undergoing successful surgery on his left groin.
Adams, the rookie who was taken 12th overall in last year's draft, has started three times for the Thunder this season, including on Monday when he filled Perkins' spot against the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 20-year-old is averaging 3.2 points and 4.2 rebounds coming off the bench this season, playing an average of 14.2 minutes to help his side to a 43-14 record, the best in the Western Conference.
Adams won the back-up big man role in the preseason and, with Perkins on the sidelines, will now get a chance to regularly start down the stretch for one of the NBA title contenders.
