Thunder's Steven Adams could return Wednesday

The Oklahoma City Thunder are inching closer to getting back to full strength. 

Thunder center Steven Adams practiced Tuesday for the first time since suffering a right hand fracture and could be set to return to game action. 

Adams, who was expected to miss at least three weeks after undergoing surgery, will see how he responds before determining his status for Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia 76ers, according to ESPN's Royce Young.

The 21-year-old was wearing a protective brace on his hand and is just over three weeks removed from the operation. 

Adams, the Thunder's starting center before he went down, averaged 7.4 points, seven rebounds and 1.2 blocks, while shooting 54.7 percent from the field in 50 games in a productive sophomore season. 

Oklahoma City has since acquired Enes Kanter, who has averaged 15.8 points and 10.2 rebounds in five starts with the Thunder. 

The Thunder, hanging on to eighth place in the Western Conference, are expected to get All-Star Russell Westbrook back Wednesday, too. Westbrook has missed one game since suffering a facial fracture Friday versus the Portland Trail Blazers. 

Reigning MVP Kevin Durant, meanwhile, is progressing well from a foot operation, but will miss at least another week. 

Oklahoma City enters Tuesday one game ahead of the playoff-hopeful New Orleans Pelicans and 2.5 up on the Phoenix Suns.