Thunder’s Steven Adams apologizes for ‘quick little monkeys’ comment

Oklahoma City center Steven Adams apologized for calling Golden State’s guards “quick little monkeys” on Monday night.

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Oklahoma City center Steven Adams has apologized for calling Golden State’s guards “quick little monkeys” on Monday night.

Following the Thunder’s 108–102 victory over the Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, Adams made the seemingly derogatory comment to ESPN’s Chris Broussard.

“They’re quick little monkeys,” Adams said of the Warriors’ guards.

In his apology, Adams blamed his New Zealand roots for his poor choice of words, saying he “was just trying to express how difficult it was chasing those guys around.” In New Zealand, the term is used to describe rambunctious children.

He added that he was “truly sorry,” and that he is “trying to figure out the boundaries” when it comes to language, acknowledging that he “overstepped them.”

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Game 2 of the Western Conference Finals is Wednesday.