Steven Adams played for the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA pre-season. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand basketballer Steven Adams has returned to the court after a long injury lay-off which ruled him out of the FIBA World Cup.
Adams' knee injury, picked up in January, sidelined him for the end of the last NBA season with the Memphis Grizzlies.
The centre who is heading into his 11th NBA season played in the Grizzlies' pre-season game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday, logging nearly 12 minutes and scoring 4 points, taking 5 rebounds and making a block.
Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman said they would take a "conservative" approach to Adams' return this season.
The Grizzlies beat the Pacers 127-122 in an overtime game in Tennessee.
The Grizzlies' next pre-season game is against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday.
The New Zealand Breakers will also be involved in the American pre-season when they play against the Portland Trailblazers and Utah Jazz this week.