Thunder’s Steven Adams apologizes for ‘monkeys’ comment

Oklahoma City Thunder’s Steven Adams (12) fights for a loose ball against Golden State Warriors’ Harrison Barnes (40) during the second half in Game 1 of the NBA basketball Western Conference finals Monday, May 16, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. Oklahoma City won 108-102. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

OAKLAND, Calif. — Oklahoma City center Steven Adams has apologized for describing Golden State’s guards as “quick little monkeys” in an interview with ESPN following the Thunder’s 108-102 win over the Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals.

Adams is a New Zealander who came to the U.S. in 2012. He tells USA Today Sports that differences in the use of language in his home country led to his poor choice of words Monday.

Adams explains that he “was just trying to express how difficult it was chasing those guys around.” He says he didn’t know it was going to upset anyone and is “truly sorry.”

He says he’s still getting used to different words and expressions and “trying to figure out the boundaries.” But adds that he “definitely overstepped them.”