DeMarcus Cousins to be active for Game 1 vs. Raptors
The Golden State Warriors are getting an injured player back for Game 1 of the NBA Finals, with DeMarcus Cousins set to be available.
The Golden State Warriors made it to the NBA Finals again without a couple injured stars for some portion of the run. But one will be available for Game 1 of the NBA Finals Thursday night, as Shams Charania of The Athletic and others have reported DeMarcus Cousins will be active.
Cousins suffered a torn left quad while chasing down a loose ball during Golden State’s first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers. There always seemed to be at least a slim chance he could return for the NBA Finals, and he’s made sufficient progress in his rehab to be in uniform for Game 1.
In apparent anticipation of his being available, Warriors coach Steve Kerr acknowledged he needed to figure out the best way to utilize Cousins on Wednesday. Matchups and lineup combinations are a good launch point. It’s safe to assume Cousins will start though, as he has in every game he has played this season, but he should be on a minutes restriction until further notice.
Cousins worked his way back from a torn Achilles’ suffered as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans last season, and he was instantly a productive player for the Warriors. Over 30 regular season games (25.7 minutes per game), he averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game.
Kevin Durant is looking iffy for the first two games of the Finals, and questions about his even playing in the series will linger if the Warriors head home with a 2-0 lead. But the return of Cousins extends Kerr’s rotation, as much as it may ultimately matter.
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If Golden State has one potential deficiency, it’s size and more specifically scoring punch from those that possess size in a traditional way. Cousins, even in a limited role, can provide that as he matches up against Raptors’ center Marc Gasol.