The Sacramento Kings are off to a 1-2 start with both losses coming at the hands of the Los Angeles Clippers. The Kings played them close both games and have looked much more competitive this season as a lot of people expected them to be. In the second matchup on Sunday, Kings star DeMarcus Cousins left the game with an Achilles injury and was unable to return. It is being reported that Cousins is expected to miss at least the next two games, according to Bill Herenda of KFBK AM.
Cousins suffered the injury during the second quarter of the Kings game on Sunday and did not return after halftime. He underwent an MRI to ensure there was no structural damage to the Achilles and it revealed a right Achilles strain. The Kings next two games are Tuesday and Wednesday so it is extremely likely that he will miss both but the Kings are hopeful that he will be able to return on Friday when they take on the Rockets.
Before Cousins left the game on Sunday he was having a monster day as he had 13 points and nine rebounds before halftime. Those numbers are right in line with the start to the season he is having as he is averaging 22 points and 11 rebounds in the first three games. The Kings seem to have dodged a major bullet on this one as Cousins is by far their best player and they would not be able to compete much without him.
While Cousins is out it seems likely that Kings head coach George Karl will go with Kosta Koufos and Willie-Cauley Stein in the frontcourt together. There was a debate this offseason as to which one of them should start alongside Cousins but now they might both get that chance together for at least a couple of games. Another option would be to go small more often with Rudy Gay at the four which seems likely to happen at least a little bit considering Eric Moreland, the next big man on the depth chart, has played just four minutes so far.
All things considered this is good news for Sacramento as an Achilles injury is one of the more gruesome injuries an athlete can suffer but Cousins just strained his. When he comes back, whether that's in two games or more, Cousins should get back to being the dominating presence he usually is.