LOS ANGELES — Nerlens Noel was the Thunder's closing center Tuesday night in a 112-107 loss to the Lakers. Starting center Steven Adams sat on the bench.

"Obviously we're dealing with Steven's knee still," Thunder coach Billy Donovan said of the decision. "I don't want to say he's on a minutes restriction, but we're trying to be mindful and keep him in a range."

It wasn't obvious that Adams' left knee was still an issue. A left knee contusion forced Adams to sit three games: Oct. 30, Nov. 2 and Nov. 10. But Adams, including Tuesday, has started OKC's last four games.

He played 27 minutes against the Clippers on Monday, and 24 minutes against the Lakers on Tuesday.