Basketball: Steven Adams posts double-double, but Thunder lose to Spurs

Steven Adams reacts after seeing a ghost. Photo / Getty

A strong performance by Steven Adams has been outshone this afternoon, with the San Antonio Spurs claiming a 108-94 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Adams posted 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, and a steal and block apiece, shooting 7/13 from the field and 2/4 from the free-throw line in 34 minutes of action.

The Kiwi centre continues to be the second most productive player on the Thunder roster, and is taking on extra responsibility with back-up big man Enes Kanter ruled out for at least a month after fracturing his forearm punching a chair.

While Adams' individual performance continued his strong run of showings after returning from concussion, the Thunder were left rueing a slow start and lackluster finish against the always-potent Spurs.

An 11-0 run at the end of the first quarter saw the Spurs open up a 31-17 lead at the interval, and their double digit lead remained through most of the first half.

The Thunder came storming back in the third quarter, coming from an 18 point deficit to take a lead as Russell Westbrook started to showcase his influence.

Westbrook would end with 27 points, six rebounds and 14 assists, but went scoreless in the final quarter as the Spurs pulled away thanks to Kawhi Leonard and LaMarcus Aldridge.

The duo were the only two players to score double digits for the Spurs, with Leonard dropping 36 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two blocks, while Aldridge added 25 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich claimed his 1,126th career victory, leaving him just one short of tying the league record for most wins with one franchise, which is held by former Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan.

The Spurs are now 37-11, while the Thunder drop to 28-21 to sit seventh in the Western Conference.

The Thunder are back in action tomorrow against the battling Chicago Bulls.