Basketball: Steven Adams ruled out of NBA clash with Knicks due to concussion

Steven Adams in action for the Oklahoma City Thunder against the Philadelphia 76ers. Photo / Getty Images.

Steven Adams will have to work his way through the NBA's concussion protocol before he can take to the court again.

The Kiwi big man copped a knock to the head in the Oklahoma City Thunder's triple-overtime 119-117 win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

The injury occurred with 32 seconds remaining in the first overtime, when 76ers centre Joel Embiid caught Adams under the chin with his left arm.

Adams stayed on the court until fouling out in the final overtime, with Thunder coach Billy Donovan saying that Adams showed no signs of the concussion at the time.

"I don't know if Steven had any conversation with the medical staff. If he did and there was a problem, I'm sure he wouldn't have played," Donovan said.

"Obviously when you're in protocol like that, you've got to take every precautionary measure to protect his safety, but he seems to be fine."

The concussion is Adams' second this year, after missing games in January, and he sat out today's 111-96 defeat to the New York Knicks.

The defeat drops the Thunder to 14-15, to sit in eighth spot in the Western Conference.

Adams will be re-evaluated tomorrow when he returns to Oklahoma City, before their next game on Tuesday afternoon against the Denver Nuggets.