DeMarcus Cousins’ first playoff appearance lasted less than two games.
He went down with a torn quad in Game 2 of the Golden State Warriors’ series with the Los Angeles Clippers. Since the injury, Cousins has been grappling with the emotions of a second serious injury just four months after returning to the court following a year missed due to a ruptured Achilles. But he is apparently good enough to join the game on the team for a crucial Game 5, tonight at Oracle Arena.
In an interview with The Mercury News, Warriors guard Stephen Curry said Cousins “has been doing rehab work” and, therefore, spending more time with the training staff than with the players.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said Cousins is, “Not great as you’d expect,” given that he had been looking forward to contributing to the Warriors’ playoff run toward a potential third-straight title.
And Cousins confirmed as much via Instagram live a few days ago when he tweeted the lyrics of the late Nipsey Hussle:
when it hit the fan you get to find out who you are
So, after enduring the grind of rehabbing from a surgically-repaired Achilles on the same leg, he is getting tested once again.
But hopefully his presence on the bench will spur the Warriors past the Clippers tonight in Game 5, and to Round 2, where Golden State most likely will face the Houston Rockets. Unfortunately, however, Cousins is unlikely to play again this season.
