Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr doesn't know if center DeMarcus Cousins will be able to play big minutes in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Thursday against the Toronto Raptors.
Cousins hasn't played since Game 2 of the Warriors' first round matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers. He's been cleared to play through his quad injury, but Kerr says Cousins' wind and legs won't be there.
Steve Kerr on Cousins tonight: “I don’t know that his wind and legs will allow him to play big minutes. But he can help us in bursts.” Also: “We’ve been through this before.” Cousins initial injury return: 15 minutes, 14 points, three 3s, six fouls.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 30, 2019
Even if Cousins can give the Warriors 10 points off the bench in Game 1, that's enough. Golden State is just happy to see Boogie back playing basketball instead of doing rehab work.
During the regular season, Cousins averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 3.6 assists per game while shooting 48.0 percent from the floor, 27.4 percent from beyond the arc and 73.6 percent from the free-throw line. The Warriors went 23-7 with Cousins in the lineup. The team is excited and anxious to see what the All-Star big man can do in his return.
The Warriors are heavy favorites to defeat the Raptors in the Finals. The Dubs won't have Kevin Durant in Games 1 and 2. It's pretty astonishing that Cousins is going to play in a game before Durant.
Once he steps onto the floor in the Finals, Cousins will become the first player that John Calipari coached at the University of Kentucky to play in the NBA Finals.
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