UNLV’s Adams plays through pain

By Rob Miech

Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 | 10:59 p.m.

The pain of a likely broken right index finger got to Wink Adams on Tuesday night, but adrenaline took over and he played through the injury.

UNLV’s junior guard played well, too, leading everyone with 23 points in a 68-58 victory over San Diego State at the Thomas & Mack Center.

How much pain Adams can tolerate will likely determine how far the Rebels can advance into the postseason.

With three games remaining, UNLV (21-6 overall and 10-3 in the Mountain West Conference) looks like it will finish second in the league. That should ensure it of a spot in the NCAA tournament regardless of how it fares in the conference tournament.

Adams jammed the finger about 10 days ago in practice. After practice Monday, he admitted that he can’t bend it and that it’s probably fractured. He tapes it for caution.

Yes, it’s his shooting hand.

“Have to play through it,” Adams said after Tuesday’s game. “I’ll check it out after the season.”

With about 10 minutes remaining, he jammed it in a collision with Aztecs forward Lorrenzo Wade. Adams grabbed the finger with his left hand, and he winced as he shook it.

“It hurt real bad,” Adams said. “A lot of pain. But I shook it off.”

With 3:45 left, he drilled a long 3-point shot from the left side to give the Rebels a 62-51 advantage.

He went 8-for-19 from the field and 5-for-8 at the free-throw line. Adams entered the game with the league’s fourth-best scoring average, at 15.9 points.

UNLV coach Lon Kruger said he didn’t know the extent of Adams’ injury but he wasn’t alarmed.

“This time of year,” said Kruger, smiling, “you’ve got all summer to rest.”