Steven Adams eases fears over pre-season injury

Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) drives past Oklahoma City Thunder center Steven Adams, guard Andre Roberson (21) and forward Paul George (13). Photo / AP.

Kiwi NBA star Steven Adams has quelled fears he could miss some of the pre-season after suffering a back injury today.

The big Oklahoma City Thunder centre was fouled by James Harden in a pre-season game against the Houston Rockets and left the court holding his lower back.

Adams has battled lower back issues many times in the past few seasons, and ESPN commentator Royce Young earlier speculated that he could miss some time in the pre-season.

In an interview posted on Twitter, Adams said he would be "fine" - joking that he left the court because of fatigue.

Adams NBA career has been plagued with injuries and earlier this year he entered the competition's concussion protocol programme after hitting the court hard in a match against the Clippers.

Today's game was OKC's first of the pre-season.

The last time these two teams were on the same court it marked the end of the OKC Thunder season.

Both squads entered today's match with vastly restructured rosters. Houston underwent a massive roster shuffle with eight players exiting who contributed to the team last season.

Most of those departed either as part of the blockbuster trade to acquire Chris Paul or were released to accommodate salary space for Paul and other free agent signings.

Moreover, ownership has changed with Tilman Fertitta buying the team.