Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins misses practice on Monday
By Brad Rowland
Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins was a self-prescribed “snub” from this weekend’s All-Star festivities, but after the break concluded on Sunday, the young center was left with an injury concern that saw him miss practice on Monday.
Prior to the break, Cousins put up a 19-point, 14-rebound effort in a win over the Knicks on Wednesday, and as a result of that, Monday’s injury woes with a strained hip flexor seem minor, but he did leave that game early. In addition, he is the one player that the Kings can’t afford to be without moving forward, and anything hip related for a man of Cousins’ size and stature (6-foot-11, 270 pounds) is a bit worrisome.
The Kings have been woeful (yet again) this season, but Cousins has been an incredible bright spot for Sacramento. On the year, the 23-year-old center is averaging 22.5 points and 11.7 rebounds per game with an incredible 26.15 PER, and with a bit of team success (or the avoidance of his well-earned reputation), Cousins could be a perennial All-Star. The Kings have until Wednesday to evaluate their big man’s status, but if he’s not on the floor after a week-long break, the fan base will begin to (justifiably) worry.