Basketball: Steven Adams returns to the court after awkward fall, stuns NBA fans

Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams has been hailed on social media as one of the toughest players in the league after returning to the court minutes after a scary collision.

The Oklahoma City Thunder centre came crashing down on Los Angeles Lakers centre JaVale McGee in an awkward-looking fall, before his leg appeared to get caught underneath him.

Adams was subbed out and headed to the locker room with a light limp, panicking fans.

But it wasn't long before he was spotted on the bench and then launched back on court to help lead the side to a 105-86 win over the Lakers.

Social media has since lit up with praise for Adams' resilience.

"I feel like Steven Adams could have a limb barely hanging on and he'd be like 'Tape it up and rub some dirt on it. Let's go'," one reporter tweeted.

The Oklahoma City Thunder have clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference and are still in a battle to earn a better position in the standings ahead of the playoffs.