Steven Adams’ Putback Was Too Late, But Twitter Was Right on Time

Now that the Oklahoma City Thunder have blown a fourth quarter lead, the NBA playoffs can really begin.

Despite being favored by a whopping 13.5 points on Monday night, the Thunder stayed true to themselves and lost for the 15th time when entering the fourth quarter with a lead. Because of that, OKC’s first round series against the Dallas Mavericks is now deadlocked at a game apiece. That’s the same Dallas Mavericks team that’s currently missing three of its top five scorers due to injury, rode the 37-year-old Dirk Nowitzki for 38 minutes last night and relied on 21 points from Raymond Felton, BTW.

It doesn’t help that the Thunder had a chance to sneak away with the win, either. Following a pair of bricked free throws by Felton down the stretch, Kevin Durant put the finishing touches on an especially futile performance by missing a layup in transition, which was followed by a botched Russell Westbrook tip and an at-the-buzzer putback by Double Deuce denizen Steven Adams. The Thunder had a moment of celebration when they thought Adams’ attempt was good, but that took a quick turn when the referees reviewed the play, and waved the basket off.

The outcome also brought Crying Jordan back from the dead – just kidding, it’ll never die – and inspired plenty of good Twitter after TNT zoomed in on a downtrodden Adams when the referees determined his shot was no bueno.

oh god they’re gonna crying MJ me pic.twitter.com/sszYThfPZz

— Tom Ziller (@teamziller) April 19, 2016

Quick look at the shot chart for Kevin Durant’s 7-33 night: pic.twitter.com/1myIlFsTxD

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) April 19, 2016

Durant was 7-33 pic.twitter.com/PiMlXoB74B

— …… (@MickieshaTimlyn) April 19, 2016

Steven Adams looks like he’s about to solve a mystery pic.twitter.com/IITe2Gb7ua

— Danny (@recordsANDradio) April 19, 2016

pic.twitter.com/4nsrl4Ym4G

— PÎÊRRĘ (@JaValeMcGee34) April 19, 2016

pic.twitter.com/fNoZxK4sNM

— Becca Laurie, PI (@imbeccable) April 19, 2016

On the bright side, it could be worse for Adams and Durant. So much worse.