Watch: Thunder teammates restrain Steven Adams as he's elbowed in face by Jazz opponent

Oklahoma City Thunder's Steven Adams and Jae Crowder of the Utah Jazz had to be restrained in the second half of Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs in Salt Lake City. Photo / Getty

Steven Adams seems to have made a habit of being on the receiving end of his opponents' flailing limbs.

The big Kiwi again found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time in the Oklahoma City Thunder's 113-96 loss to the Utah Jazz in Game Four of Round One of the NBA Playoffs on Tuesday, copping a Jae Crowder elbow on the nose.

In what was already a heated match, things escalated when Crowder was fouled by Thunder guard Russell Westbrook.

Crowder and Thunder forward Carmelo Anthony exchanged words and as Adams came into the fray, Crowder swung his arms and connected flush with the New Zealander's face.

Adams had to be restrained by teammates after the blow.

Steven Adams had to be restrained after receiving an elbow to the face. Photo / Getty

Crowder was ejected for the act, but the damage on the scoreboard had already been done.

Led by the sweet shooting of wings Donovan Mitchell (33 points) and Joe Ingles (20), Utah dismantled the Thunder and waltzed out to a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven first round series.

Game Five will in played in Oklahoma City on Thursday.

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