To the surprise of many, the Phoenix Suns announced on Thursday that newly acquired guard Isaiah Thomas received arthroscopic wrist surgery, while Kings center DeMarcus Cousins received an MRI after injuring his right knee in Team USA practice.
Thomas joined the Suns after Phoenix executed a sign-and-trade with the Sacramento Kings this summer. According to a team press release, Thomas underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his left wrist on Thursday at the Hospital for Special Surgeries in New York. Dr. Michelle Carlson removed a small piece of torn cartilage from Thomas' wrist and the Suns say he is expected to fully participate in training camp, which begins on September 5 in Flagstaff, Arizona.
The Suns point guard is entering his fourth year in the NBA after coming off career-highs with the Kings last season in points (20.3 per game), field goal percentage (45.3%), assists (6.3 per game), rebounds (2.9 per game) and steals (1.3 per game). It'll be interesting to see how Phoenix handles their guard-play this year, since they already have Goran Dragic at starting point guard; they're currently trying to work out a deal to retain point guard Eric Bledsoe; and they drafted point guard Tyler Ennis out of Syracuse in June.
The Sacramento Kings received a scare when star player DeMarcus Cousins went down during Team USA practice on Thursday - the first team practice since Paul George suffered a compound leg fracture. Cousins collided with teammate Anthony Davis and the two bumped knees while scrambling for a loose ball. USA Basketball team physician Dr. Lisa Callahan evaluated Cousins and administered an MRI, ensuring that he was doing just fine. The MRI revealed no structural damage and Cousins is now listed as day-to-day, but will miss Saturday's exhibition game against Brazil.
"The plan has always been that when we leave New York, we would like to be at 12 [players]," said USA Basketball National Team Managing Director Jerry Colangelo, in this NBC Sports ProBasketballTalk article. "But I think we have to be flexible. It's always been that our situation is fluid, and hopefully, we have no other injuries. Chances are Cousins won't be able to play this week. I can't believe he would, because even if he's 100 percent OK, he's going to have to rest a little bit and get treatments."
If Cousins injury keeps him out of a lot of action, he may be in danger of being cut from the squad as Team USA will wrap up training in New York before the international tournament begins on August 30. Mason Plumlee and Andre Drummond could take his spot on the roster.