Will Guillory: DeMarcus Cousins is sitting on the bench with the Pelicans.
Storyline: DeMarcus Cousins Injury
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Cousins will be sitting courtside at the Smoothie King Center for the first time since he tore his Achilles in January. Up until this week, Cousins had been rehabbing in Los Angeles and was restricted from air travel. He did join the team for two road games in L.A., though. “It means a lot to us. I think it means a lot to him, as well, to be here supporting us,” Davis said after Cousins was at the team’s morning shootaround, chatting with teammates and coaches while wearing a walking boot on his left foot. “To be here, to be in front of his fans … it’s gonna be fun to see him back on the bench.”
Injured New Orleans Pelicans center DeMarcus Cousins recently relocated back to his off-season home of Las Vegas to continue his six-day per week rehabilitation regimen from his torn Achilles’ tendon injury, a source told ESPN’s The Undefeated. The four-time NBA All-Star hopes to attend an upcoming Pelicans playoff game, but the source said such is difficult due to his rehab.
Will Guillory: Alvin Gentry said he “hopes” DeMarcus Cousins will be at the game tomorrow. Said he’ll call him after today’s practice to see if he’s cleared to travel
After Cousins went down, what was it like to see Anthony Davis mature the way he has as a leader? DD: He found a rhythm. I think he has people around him that also enhances his abilities and he enhances theirs. It’s been fun to watch him, especially this season, just take that next step.
“Houston is having a good [season], but I’m most impressed with New Orleans,” Green said after shootaround on Thursday. “With some of the games they won, with some of the numbers that AD has put up, has been incredible and they’re doing that without DeMarcus. I think there was kind of a consensus around the world that once DeMarcus went out, that they’d struggle, and yet, AD is putting them boys on his back…That’s impressive.”
As New Orleans star Anthony Davis prepares for the second half of the season with the Pelicans holding on to the eighth seed in the Western Conference, he still thinks about what could have been this year had teammate DeMarcus Cousins not ruptured his Achilles. “We could have gone through the playoffs. No one could really stop us as bigs. We go to the Finals if we went,” Davis told ESPN’s Rachel Nichols in an interview over All-Star weekend. [Teammate Rajon Rondo] reminds us of it: ‘You guys are the two best bigs. I know what it takes to win championships; we got it.’”
Davis said he has been mirroring Russell Westbrook’s approach to keep the Pelicans in the playoff picture. They are 4-5 since Cousins’ injury, compared to 27-21 before that. “You kind of have that Russell Westbrook mentality when [Kevin Durant] went out,” Davis said. “Russ just went out there and played, and he shot 40 shots sometimes, you know, whatever it takes to help your team win, and I’m kind of taking that approach.”
Michael Lee: DeMarcus Cousins made it to Los Angeles after being voted an All-Star starter for the first time. Unfortunately, that Achilles’ injury means he won’t play & has to move around in a wheelchair for the big event
Jim Eichenhofer: Anthony Davis on #Pelicans: “When you lose a guy like DeMarcus Cousins, it’s tough. But we have to keep going. The organization went out right away to do something about it, knowing the position we’re in, (in seventh in West). We want to make sure we don’t drop, that we keep progressing”
DeMarcus Cousins: The Resurgence begins... #TheResurgence #0doubt
New Orleans Pelicans forward DeMarcus Cousins underwent successful surgery today to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon, it was announced by the team.
Dr. Richard Ferkel, MD of the Southern California Orthopedic Institute performed the procedure in Los Angeles, CA. “DeMarcus’ surgery went very well,” stated Dr. Ferkel. “I expect he will have a full recovery and be able to return to basketball after an intensive rehabilitation program.” Cousins will miss the remainder of the 2017-18 season. Further updates will be provided appropriatel
Will Guillory: Alvin Gentry says that DeMarcus Cousins will be having his surgery tomorrow
David Morrow: With Boogie down and Blake Griffin in Detroit, the NBA has dropped the Utah-NOP matchup from NBA TV and added Portland-Detroit on Feb. 5.
That it occurred at the end of the fourth quarter isn’t a total surprise. According to a 2015 study by Jeff Stotts of InStreetClothes.com, a site specializing in sports injuries, 64 percent of in-game ruptures in the NBA since 2005 happened in the second half of games. That finding follows this report: fatigue or overuse contributes to Achilles tendinitis and ruptures, according to the Cleveland Clinic and other studies.
In sum, January was Cousins’ most taxing month of his career (in months with at least five games played)—he registered a career-high 38.3 minutes per game. Friday’s game was Cousins’ fourth in seven days. Of course, peering through the annals of NBA history, plenty of centers at Cousins’ enormous size have averaged 40 minutes per game. If they could take it, why can’t today’s big men?
The Pelicans wouldn’t make that exchange though. Multiple executives and agents I’ve spoken with over recent weeks believe Cousins has grown fond of playing in New Orleans, and expected him to re-sign anyway. But a new variable has been introduced with the injury. Love or hate Boogie, he could be counted on to take the floor, produce elite offense, and rebound the ball like a man possessed. The equation has changed.
Scott Kushner: Rajon Rondo said DeMarcus Cousins was in the film room with the #Pelicans this morning, despise tearing his achillies last night. He expects Cousins to stay around the team and maintain his presence and leadership role.
A 2013 research paper published in The American Journal of Sports Medicine found that of 18 NBA players who ruptured their Achilles over 23 seasons, only eight returned to play for longer than one season. A player of Cousins’s caliber is naturally likely to return to the court, but those that do make it back onto the court have mixed results. Players like Elton Brand and Wes Matthews were never the same after returning. Isiah Thomas suffered a ruptured Achilles at age 32, then retired. Dominique Wilkins also had the same injury at age 32, then played until he was 39 and was named to two more All-NBA teams.
Interestingly, the study found that 29 years old was the average age a player ruptured their Achilles. Cousins is 27. Nonetheless, the study found that 17 of the 18 players saw their minutes decrease after returning. While the sample size for football is small, NFL players have seen a similar decline in both opportunity and production.
“Obviously, it’s a sick injury,” Matthews said. “I can understand everything that’s going on in his mind right now.” Matthews said he was waiting for things to settle down a little before reaching out to Cousins, whom many NBA experts have pointed to as a possible free-agent target for the Mavericks this summer.
Cousins is a much bigger human being than Matthews and nobody can predict how he’ll come back from a major injury like this. “But at the same time, he’s not like (high-flyers) Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan,” Matthews said. “He’s skill-based. But obviously, you’re going to lose a step for a little bit. And more than anything, it’s a mental game. I believe he’s got the mentality to deal with and be stronger from it. But it’s a long road. There’s no doubt about that.”
John Schuhmann: NBA announces that Paul George will replace DeMarcus Cousins in the All-Star Game (on Team LeBron).
TJ McBride: Malone on the DeMarcus Cousins injury: “I love DeMarcus. I feel awful for him. To have the injury he has because he is playing so well and the one thing he wants more than anything to get to the playoffs. That is the one thing guys have said he’s unable to do.”
Pau Gasol: We will miss you on the court @DeMarcus Cousins, get well soon! You will come back stronger than ever! 💪🏼
Stephen Curry: Stay strong @DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Roberson! Prayers your way for a strong recovery 🙏🏽
Jim Eichenhofer: DeMarcus Cousins will miss the final 34 games of this season. He’s never had a stretch longer than 10 games in his #NBA career of being sidelined. He’s also appeared in 535 of a possible 606 games over seven-plus seasons, which is 88% of games
Jim Eichenhofer: Anthony Davis on advice he gave Cousins about dealing with an extended layoff from playing: “I told him the first month, you’re going to want to pull your hair out. It’s tough. Especially when your team is playing, and you’re not able to do anything. That’s the toughest part.”
Jim Eichenhofer: Asked about Cousins injury as a free agent, Anthony Davis: “It’s tough, not knowing what’s going to happen, how big your market is going to be, are you going to be the same (player) coming back?” Wry smile: “But I think he’s done enough in his career to show that he’s very solid”
Jim Eichenhofer: Midway through his post-practice media session today, Anthony Davis got briefly distracted by a familiar face. To his right, DeMarcus Cousins had entered #Pelicans practice facility on crutches. Davis to Cousins: “Oh man, hey! You want to come join me?” Cousins declined, smiling
Jim Eichenhofer: Anthony Davis on #Pelicans with 34 games left: “Everybody’s playing well. Jrue’s playing well, E’Twaun, Darius. We’ve just got to carry that over to the rest of the season. Of course missing one of our main guys is tough, but it means guys have to step up… It starts tomorrow.”
Jim Eichenhofer: Rajon Rondo on advantage #Pelicans still have with Cousins sidelined: “There is still only one Anthony Davis (in the #NBA). No one can match that. We have to continue to trust one another. It’s a team sport. We’ll play team basketball.”
Jim Eichenhofer: Alvin Gentry on #Pelicans players reacting to DeMarcus Cousins being out for the season: “What everybody today feels is there’s a sadness for DeMarcus. He’s worked extremely hard to be where he is right now… I think the guys feel really badly for him.”
Jim Eichenhofer: Alvin Gentry on #Pelicans over final 34 games: “We still have a goal in mind that’s attainable. Obviously when you lose a guy that’s having the kind of year DeMarcus is having, (it’s tough). With that being said…everything we set out to do this year is still out in front of us”
Emiliano Carchia: Pelicans officially announce DeMarcus Cousins is out for the season
Fletcher Mackel: More Anthony Davis tells the media he’s okay playing more at center to replace DeMarcus Cousins. Boogie played 95% of the @PelicansNBA minutes at center. When AD has had to play extended minutes at the 5, it’s taken a toll.
James Harden: Wishing you a speedy recovery big dawg. Keep a positive mind and you’ll be back before you know it. @DeMarcus Cousins 🙏🏾 Stay #Lockedin🔐
Josh Lewenberg: Casey spent time with Cousins at the Kentucky alumni game in Lexington over the summer, said he’s different than his reputation/on-court persona. “He’s matured”. Said he really feels for him. “I wish him nothing but the best of luck.”
Candace Buckner: John Wall feels terrible for his friend DeMarcus Cousins, who suffered a season-ending injury last night. “That really hurt me. He’s having a hell of a year. To be an all-star starter and then something like that happened, it’s the most frustrating part.”
Candace Buckner: More John Wall on DeMarcus Cousins’ season-ending injury: “It hurt me more than it probably hurt him because I like to see people conquer. You never want to see people go through anything like that.” Wall said he texted but thinks Cousins turned his phone off.
E’Twaun Moore: Know you’re going to come back from this better and stronger than ever @DeMarcus Cousins! #NOLA #Pels #PrayersUp
Dakari Johnson: Prayers up for @DeMarcus Cousins 🙏
Ian Clark: Prayers for my bro @DeMarcus Cousins
Quincy Acy: Prayers up for the big fella @DeMarcus Cousins 🙏🏾
Adrian Wojnarowski: Source: An MRI has confirmed diagnosis on DeMarcus Cousins: Torn left Achilles, out for the season.
Adrian Wojnarowski: Range on recovery for DeMarcus Cousins, league source tells ESPN: 6-to-10 months.
Shams Charania: Sources: Surgery plan for DeMarcus Cousins, as torn Achilles go: As soon as possible. He had another All-Star season, helped lead Pelicans to 27-21 and sixth seed in West so far.
“I feel horrible for him,” Gentry said after the game. “Everything that he’s done, and what he’s tried to do for us this year and what he’s made himself and the improvements in all areas that he’s made on and off the court, has just been great. I don’t want that to happen to a guy that’s trying to better himself.”
Anthony Davis: My dawg!! Tough to see bro but I know you gonna come back stronger than ever. We gone hold it down for you!! #Pels #Brothers
LeBron James: Thoughts out to @boogiecousins! Hope you good big fella. 🙏🏾
Kevin Love: Hope big fella @boogiecousins is ok!!! Prayers 👏🏼
Enes Kanter: Prayers up to my brother @boogiecousins 🙏🙏
Meyers Leonard: Hate to see the news about @DeMarcus Cousins . We’ve had our fair share of heated battles, but can’t stand to see that happen to anyone. Come back better and stronger man. Too damn talented to let this slow you up 💪🏼 I know it won’t.
Garrett Temple: Damn bruh!!!!! I’m sick to my stomach with the news about my lil bro @DeMarcus Cousins 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 PRAYERS UP!!! You will be back stronger bro!!!
Adrian Wojnarowski: DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, league sources tell ESPN. He will miss the rest of the season. The MRI is coming soon, but diagnosis is clear.
Shams Charania: New Orleans All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins has initial diagnosis of a torn left Achilles’ tendon, league sources tell Yahoo Sports. He’s on way now to get MRI to confirm.
Cousins will undergo an MRI on Friday night to determine its severity, but an initial diagnosis in the minutes after he crumpled to the court in the final minutes of a victory over Houston suggested that Cousins had sustained a significant injury.
Adrian Wojnarowski: New Orleans All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins has a left Achilles injury, league source tells ESPN. He’s undergo an MRI to determine severity.
Adrian Wojnarowski: There’s significant fear within Pelicans that DeMarcus Cousins’ Achilles injury is serious. Initial diagnosis “doesn’t look good,” one source tells ESPN.
Tim MacMahon: DeMarcus Cousins will have an MRI to determine the severity of his Achilles tendon injury. “We’re scared about it,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said.
Michael Gallagher: FWIW, Boogie’s right Achilles is the one that gave him problems in 2017 and 2015. That left leg injury tonight looks awful.
Scott Kushner: Anthony Davis said he hasn’t spoken to Cousins yet about the severity of his Achilles injury, but was also somber in his postgame comments. “We were just getting it and just figuring it out. That’s the tough part. Like I said, we just have to keep going.”
Justin Verrier: DeMarcus Cousins (R Achilles) and Anthony Davis (L knee) both listed as out for tomorrow vs. Lakers. E’Twaun Moore (L ankle) is probable.
Justin Verrier: DeMarcus Cousins (right ankle sprain) and Solomon Hill (right knee soreness) will both play tonight against Dallas.
Justin Verrier: DeMarcus Cousins (right ankle sprain) is listed as questionable again for tomorrow’s game vs Dallas. Cousins has missed the past 2 games.
Justin Verrier: DeMarcus Cousins (right ankle sprain) will not play tonight in Denver, per Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry.
Gary Washburn: #Pelicans announce DeMarcus Cousins will miss tonight game vs #Rockets with a left knee soreness and a right rib contusion.
Jason Jones: DeMarcus Cousins said his feet are much better. He’s undergone four treatments which he described as feeling like your feet are being electrocuted.
Cousins also said his feet bother him more every year. This is not a good trend for anybody, and even worse for a big man who plays basketball for a living. Hopefully, the platelet therapy will provide relief for Cousins’ pedal extremities. Losing 20 pounds wouldn’t hurt, either.
Marc J. Spears: Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins (sprained ankle) is out tonight against the Bucks.
Marc J. Spears: Kings C DeMarcus Cousins is day-to-day with ankle injury, but source says there is no concern right now about him missing the All-Star Game.
James Ham: Source tells @CSNAuthentic that barring a late setback, DeMarcus Cousins fully expects to play on Monday against the Spurs.
The hits keep coming for the Sacramento Kings. Center DeMarcus Cousins is expected to miss the team’s back-to-back games against the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors on Friday and Saturday night, a source confirms to CSNBayArea.com.
April 26, 2018 | 8:19 pm EDT Update
Charles F. Gardner: Thon Maker starting Game 6 for the Bucks. Semi Ojeleye starting for second straight game in Celtics’ effort to slow down Giannis.
Monte Poole: ‘This is a big defensive transition series. Anytime you’ve got a team that’s coming at you that fast, there’s going to be all kinds of cross-matches. That’s one of the messages: You don’t have YOUR man, you have A man.’ – #Warriors coach Steve Kerr on the #Pelicans.
Fred Katz: Here’s Steven Adams from last night on what Enes Kanter coming to Game 5 meant to him: “Nothing at all. I hate that guy. He’s a scumbag.” He continued, “No, honestly, it’s good that he came out. All the boys were happy to see him. Short spurts with him. Short spurts.”
Matt Velazquez: Former President Bill Clinton holding court here courtside at the @BMOHBC.
April 26, 2018 | 7:05 pm EDT Update
Anthony Slater: Steph Curry practiced fully today, questionable for Game 1, Steve Kerr says.
Melissa Rohlin: Kerr on Curry: “Steph practiced 100 percent. He did everything. I would say he’s questionable for Game 1. What we have to do is see how his body responds the rest of the day. Put him through another practice tomorrow. I think he needs to string together a few good days.”
