Why is Steven Adams Not Playing? Steven Adams Injury Update

Updated 27 November 2025 05:37 PM

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Why is Steven Adams Not Playing? Steven Adams Injury Update

Why is Steven Adams Not Playing?

Steven Adams is not playing because of injury. He has been dealing with a serious right knee problem for a long time. Doctors found damage in his knee that needed surgery. Because of that he has missed a lot of games and has not been able to return to regular action.

He first hurt his knee when he was with the Memphis Grizzlies. The team tried rest treatment and other options. Things did not improve enough. In the end he had surgery on the knee. That type of injury usually needs many months of rehab. Big centers put a lot of stress on their knees so teams stay careful with them.

After the surgery the plan was to bring him back slowly. Rehab for this kind of knee issue is not simple. It needs strength work balance work and time for the joint to heal. If he rushes back it can create more damage. That is why medical staff often hold players out even when they feel a bit better.

Steven Adams is known for his physical style and heavy minutes near the basket. He fights for rebounds sets strong screens and battles bigger players in the paint. That style helped his teams for years. The downside is that his body has taken a lot of contact. Over time that can lead to knee and other leg problems. Once a big man has a major knee injury teams watch every small sign very closely.

When a player like Adams is out it changes how his team plays. On offense you lose an elite screener who opens space for guards. On defense you lose a strong rim protector and a great defensive rebounder. Coaches then have to use smaller lineups or less physical centers. Guards must help more on the glass because they cannot rely on Adams to clean up every miss.

His absence also affects the locker room. Adams is known as a steady veteran voice. Younger players learn from him about physical play and toughness. When he is not playing he can still mentor from the bench but it is not the same as leading on the floor. Teammates often talk about how much easier the game feels when he is behind them in defense.

Right now the priority for him is health. The main goal is to get his knee to a point where he can play without pain and without high risk of another major injury. That means careful progress in training and strict minutes control when he eventually returns. The team will probably keep monitoring his knee day by day and may rest him in back to back games or when he feels any discomfort.

Disclaimer:

The information provided is based on the latest injury reports and recovery updates. The exact timeline for Steven Adams' return to play depends on his ongoing rehabilitation and medical evaluations. Always check official team updates for the latest information.

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