Adams Goes Through Contact, Noel rest.
Thunder fans got a mixed bag of news today when Billy Donovan told the media that Steven Adams went through most of today's practice, including contact and was "looking a lot better physically." Adams has sat out Oklahoma City's last two games after suffering a knee contusion against Houston last week. Adams is averaging six points and 12 rebounds through five games.
Unfortunately, Adams's backup Nerlens Noel did not practice today because of an ankle sprain. Donovan is "optimistic" Noel will be able to go for tomorrow's game against the Magic.
The Thunder will need at least Adams to handle 6'11 Nikola Vucevic, who is averaging a double-double this season. If Noel can't go, Mike Muscala has been getting the call at five coming off the bench. Muscala hasn't been productive on the offensive end in that role, but Billy Donovan seems reluctant to give Justin Patton a chance to show what he can do during a game.
Andre Roberson participated in the non-contact portion of practice. You have a better chance of winning the lottery than to guess if Roberson is going to play at some point this season. Donovan won't put a timetable on Roberson's return. On Saturday, Donovan did make a point of saying, Roberson and team doctors must figure out what his confidence level is before they can give Roberson the green light to get back in the lineup.
Per a Thunder spokesman Terrance Ferguson who left Saturday's game with flu-like symptoms was back at practice today and should be fine for Tuesday's game with the Magic.
