The 21-year-old was on the sidelines as his side began the fourth quarter with a two-point lead, watching helplessly as that advantage turned into a 10-point deficit. By the time Adams was introduced midway through the period, he was unable to turn the tide as the Thunder fell to 0-1 on the new season.
Meanwhile, another outstanding young Kiwi faces the prospect of a year away from the basketball court.
Isaac Fotu, who starred for the Tall Blacks during their World Cup campaign in Spain, has been ruled ineligible for the 2014-15 American college season.
University of Hawaii acting coach Benjy Taylor told a press conference that Fotu is believed to have received improper benefits for a student-athlete. The NCAA, which runs collegiate sports in the United States, prevents players from reaping any reward, financial or otherwise, for their performances.
Taylor said the nature of Fotu's infringement was yet to be determined but team would petition for the power forward's reinstatement.
"That's for the investigation - as of now, he's ineligible," Taylor said. "All I know is we're doing a reinstatement process with him, which, that happens all the time."
