OKLAHOMA CITY -- Thunder center Steven Adams had successful surgery to repair a broken right hand and will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team announced Monday.
Adams injured his hand in the second quarter Sunday against the Clippers. He immediately exited the game but returned briefly to shoot his free throws. He took them left-handed, shooting an air ball on the first and making the second.
If he returns after three weeks on March 2, Adams would miss only nine games because of the All-Star break. He was set to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge for a second consecutive season but will need to be replaced.
Without Adams, the Thunder likely will look to veteran Kendrick Perkins to fill his starting minutes. Perkins, who has started 271 games for the Thunder since joining the team in 2011, played 27 minutes earlier this season when Adams missed a game because of a migraine headache.
Adams, a second-year player, became the starter this season after winning the job in training camp as Perkins dealt with injuries.
In 50 games this season, Adams is averaging 7.4 points, 7.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 24.3 minutes per game.