OAKLAND -- Though not establishing anything close to a timeline for DeMarcus Cousins' return, the Warriors announced Monday that the veteran center is nearing the point when he’ll be able to participate in controlled portions of practice.
“He’s been doing a lot of individual work most of the season,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said prior to tip-off against the Phoenix Suns. “He has not participated in most of our practices. He’s done work in the weight room and the training room and on the floor before practice. We’re going to start seeing him more involved in more of our team activities, [such as] 5-on-0, ball-handling and skill work.”
It’s conceivable, Kerr said, that Cousins would do some light scrimmaging with the team’s younger players in the coming weeks.
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Cousins sustained a ruptured left Achilles tendon in January. The 6-foot-10 center/forward underwent surgery shortly thereafter and has spent the last nine months rehabilitating an injury that typically takes about a year before being cleared for athletic activities.
“DeMarcus continues to make good progress with his rehabilitation program,” the Warriors said in a statement. “After spending the last few weeks doing various individual on-court activities and drills, he will, in the near future, be integrated into controlled aspects of team practices, although not scrimmages at this point. Additionally, he will continue with his off-court strength and conditioning.”
Asked if Cousins, 28, is exceeding expectations, Kerr deflected.
“We’re not going down that path,” he said, grinning.
Golden State Warriors
“He’s doing fine. He’s doing well."