The Warriors say DeMarcus Cousins is ready for the next step of his rehab.
The team announced ahead of Thursday's Game 2 that the big man "has progressed to on-court work, but is still not ready for live action."
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Cousins tore his left quadriceps in Game 2 of Golden State's NBA playoff first-round series with the Los Angeles Clippers. The 28-year-old was playing in only his second playoff game, having made the postseason for the first time in his nine-year NBA career.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr told reporters earlier this week that Cousins was not close to returning, but that was prior to Cousins' re-evaluation. General manager Bob Myers told NBC Sports Bay Area's Greg Papa on Thursday that Cousins is more likely to be able to return the longer the Warriors' playoff run goes. Game 7 of the NBA Finals would be a month from Thursday, and Myers indicated that could allow Cousins enough time to return.
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"If we keep going and get through this series, I believe -- unless something changes -- that he'll have that opportunity," Myers told Papa. "That's the hope."
Golden State Warriors
Cousins, like injured teammate Kevin Durant, will be re-evaluated again in a week.