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The Golden State Warriors have taken an interesting approach with rehabbing DeMarcus Cousins, and it worked so well the first week that they decided to do it again. At Sunday’s practice, coach Steve Kerr announced that, just like last week, Cousins will be spending time this week with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the G League.
DeMarcus Cousins practiced with the Warriors today, will go back down to Santa Cruz for higher intensity practices this week.
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) December 16, 2018
There isn’t currently a plan to have Cousins appear in any games with Santa Cruz, Golden State’s affiliate. But G League practices are more intense than NBA ones, and the Warriors have games on Monday, Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, so there won’t be all that many practice opportunities of any intensity.
Not many teams take this approach when rehabbing players, but it makes a lot of sense. The Warriors have been transparent about not only wanting Cousins to be healthy and in shape, but also having the basketball rust dusted off before he makes his debut. He appears to be healthy enough to play now, but these practices should help get him back to his dominant All-Star form.