Wink Adams’ status in question after abdominal strain

Throughout his career, UNLV senior guard Wink Adams always has bounced back quickly from injuries, and his resiliency is about to get tested again.

Adams, suffering from a lower abdominal strain, said his status is "questionable" for the Rebels' next game at No. 19 Louisville on Wednesday.

Adams was injured Tuesday in the first half of UNLV's 73-60 win over Southern Utah at the Thomas & Mack Center. He was dribbling in the lane when he hit the floor suddenly without being touched. He rolled on the floor in pain for a few minutes before athletic trainer Dave Tomchek helped him to the locker room.

Adams was in street clothes when he returned to the bench late in the second half. He played almost 10 minutes before the injury and went scoreless for the first time in 115 career games.

"I'm just resting right now," Adams said Wednesday. "I'm really sore. It's about what I expected. If this game was tomorrow or in two days, I couldn't play."

Asked if he might be ready next week against the Cardinals, he said, "I really don't know. It's kind of questionable."

Adams, the Rebels' leading scorer at 14.1 points per game, has made 105 consecutive starts.

Tomchek said he saw "marked improvement" in Adams' condition Wednesday. Tomchek said the injury is around Adams' right hip area.

"I was very pleased with the early results of his healing and decreased pain and ability to walk," Tomchek said. "He looked pretty good. He traditionally heals fast."

Tomchek did not send Adams for an MRI exam Wednesday. He said Adams will report for treatment again today and his status will be re-evaluated on Friday, when UNLV (11-2) resumes practice.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.