Tragic Injury Robs DeMarcus Cousins, and Fans, of Long-Anticipated Playoff Debut

Jan 29, 2018, 12:00 AM | Updated: Jan 4, 2019, 11:23 am

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 26: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the New Orleans Pelicans lies down on the ground after injuring his ankle during the second half of a NBA game against the Houston Rockets at the Smoothie King Center on January 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK

In just three weeks, New Orleans Pelicans superstar big man DeMarcus Cousins was supposed to start for Team LeBron in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Not only that, Cousins was enjoying a historic stretch of play, posting numbers not seen since Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The Pelicans had been playing well, and many were optimistic that Cousins would finally get his chance to play in the postseason.

But then, everything changed in the final seconds of the Pelicans vs Houston Rockets game on Friday.

With just eight seconds left in what was a very entertaining bout between two expected Western Conference playoff teams, Cousins collapsed right in front of the Rockets bench, grabbing at his left heel. His reaction immediately got the attention of the entire Houston bench, who called for immediate medical attention from the Pelicans’ training staff. Cousins was helped off the floor, unable to put any weight on his left leg, while coaches, teammates, and fans were left assuming the worst.

No MRI was necessary to figure out what had happened to Cousins. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to release the report.

Currently 6th in the West, the Pelicans are 27-22 on the season, 7-3 over their last 10 games, and are 0-1 since the Cousins injury after a 112-103 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers yesterday. Their next game is tomorrow night in New Orleans against the Sacramento Kings.

 

Newsletter

Basketball

Sasha Vezenkov #7 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the Golden State Warriors in the ...

Brenden Nunes

Sasha Vezenkov working to return from grade three right ankle sprain

On January 22nd, the Atlanta Hawks came into Golden 1 Center to face off against the Sacramento Kings. During the action, Sasha Vezenkov checked in for the fifth consecutive night despite being questionable with a left ankle injury he suffered in practice days prior. Unfortunately, the reigning Euroleague MVP suffered a moderate right ankle sprain […]

11 hours ago

Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors argues with a referee before being ejected during a...

Field Level Media

Warriors’ Draymond Green on most recent ejection: ‘It just can’t happen’

Draymond Green said on his podcast that he deserved to be ejected for his actions in his team's game against the Orlando Magic.

17 hours ago

De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings guards Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks in the first...

Joseph Jarosz

Sam Amick on where the Sacramento Kings will be at the end of the season

With 10 games left in the season, the Sacramento Kings find themselves in an arms race for the sixth and final playoff spot. Where will they end the year?

17 hours ago

Domantas Sabonis #10 of the Sacramento Kings and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Dallas Mavericks go for a ...

Brenden Nunes

Sacramento Kings need to limit turnovers and increased physicality in Friday’s rematch

Sacramento Kings need to improve turnovers and physicality Friday After suffering a costly 132-96 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, the Sacramento Kings get a chance for redemption on Friday.

18 hours ago

Luka Doncic #77 of the Dallas Mavericks passes the ball over Keegan Murray #13 of the Sacramento Ki...

Joseph Jarosz

Jason Anderson: The final playoff spot will come down to the Kings or Mavs

Jason Anderson, Sacramento Kings reporter for the Sacramento Bee, joined The Drive Guys to discuss the final push for the playoffs, another matchup with the Mavericks looming after Tuesday's loss, and more.

21 hours ago

Jalen Suggs #4 of the Orlando Magic drives on Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors du...

Field Level Media

Warriors complete back-to-back sweep, hold off Magic 101-93 Wednesday night

Gary Payton II stalled an Orlando run with an interior hoop, Stephen Curry saved his only two fourth-quarter baskets for the final 1:09 and the Golden State Warriors overcame the early ejection of Draymond Green to hold off the host Magic 101-93 on Wednesday night.

1 day ago

Tragic Injury Robs DeMarcus Cousins, and Fans, of Long-Anticipated Playoff Debut