There were fears that Team USA had another damaging injury on its hands when DeMarcus Cousins went down during a Thursday practice, but an MRI revealed no significant issues.
An MRI revealed no structural damage to the right knee of Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins following a knee-to-knee collision during a Team USA practice on Wednesday, USA Basketball has announced. Cousins is listed as day-to-day.
Cousins was playing in a White-Blue scrimmage along with his USA Basketball teammates in Chicago when he went down and limped off the court. He was seen getting treatment on his knee near the sideline before Team USA president Jerry Colangelo announced the MRI.
The injury might not be serious, however, since Colangelo also said the procedure is "precautionary." Cousins will sit out the team's exhibition game against Brazil on Saturday in Chicago, Colangelo said, and USA Basketball will evaluate what to do from there.
Boogie. pic.twitter.com/kMM0Eatn9z
— Ricky O'Donnell (@SBN_Ricky) August 14, 2014Cousins also later tweeted that he would be fine.
Thanks for all the concern, I'm fine
— DeMarcus Cousins (@boogiecousins) August 14, 2014Cousins' injury continues a rough few weeks for Team USA, which already lost Paul George to a major leg injury before seeing Kevin Durant drop off the team. Frontcourt depth was going to be a concern for the team entering the FIBA World Cup later this month, and losing Cousins will only magnify the issue.
Colangelo said he's "wishful, hopeful" that Cousins has avoided a significant injury. If that's not the case, this will not only be a major blow to Team USA, but the Kings as well. He's the cornerstone of their roster and would be essentially impossible to replace.
As for the World Cup, it would allow us to avoid the whole Cousins-Plumlee debate, if we're looking for a silver lining. Otherwise, this could be some pretty bad news for Team USA and the rest of the basketball world.