:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/62813788/usa_today_11312368.0.jpg)
DeMarcus Cousins is nearly ready to make his Golden State Warriors debut. Signed in the summer to a one-year, $5.3 million deal while he rehabbed an Achilles injury, the four-time All-Star has missed the first half of the Warriors season.
But he’ll be back soon. Marc Stein of The New York Times reports that the Warriors are targeting an upcoming trip to Southern California for Boogie’s debut. Golden State plays the Los Angeles Clippers on January 18, and the Los Angeles Lakers on January 21.
Shams Charania of The Athletic narrowed it down to the former date.
The target range for DeMarcus Cousins' debut with the Warriors is the team's upcoming trip to Los Angeles, @nytsports has learned. Golden State plays the Clippers on Jan. 18 and the Lakers on Jan. 21
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) January 9, 2019
Sources: All-Star DeMarcus Cousins' expected season debut for the Golden State Warriors: Jan. 18 against the Clippers in Los Angeles.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 9, 2019
Both of those matchups would be highly compelling, but for the Warriors and their fans it doesn’t matter who Cousins is playing against - they just want to see him healthy and on the court.
The timing means Boogie will likely return just before the one-year mark of his injury, which he sustained on January 26, 2018. The two-time All-NBA selection was in the midst of a spectacular season for the New Orleans Pelicans, averaging 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game.
Unfortunately, the timing also means he’ll miss a chance to have his debut be a revenge game, as the Warriors host the Pelicans just two days before the targeted game against the Clippers.