Report: DeMarcus Cousins expects to return from injury after Christmas

Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins hopes to return to the floor sometime after Christmas, according to a report from Logan Murdock of The Bay Area News Group.

Sources: Warriors' injured center DeMarcus Cousins is ramping up his workload on his Achilles and is targeting a return to the lineup after Christmas. https://t.co/S2bcXPYyut via @mercnews

— Logan Murdock (@loganmmurdock) November 26, 2018

Cousins has been sidelined since he tore his Achilles in January with the New Orleans Pelicans last season. He signed a one-year deal with the Warriors this summer.

According to Murdock, Cousins had hoped to return to the Warriors during their upcoming five-game road trip. But those plans were changed when he met with Golden State’s training staff on Friday and they decided to give Cousins more time to improve his conditioning.

Here’s more from Murdock on Cousins’ eventual return:

According to sources, Cousins participated in a scrimmage alongside Stephen Curry Saturday before the team’s 117-116 victory over the Kings. According to a player in the scrimmage, Cousins looked “solid.” The scrimmages have been a part of Cousins’ new six-day a week regimen with the team in anticipation of his pending return.

Still, Cousins and the Warriors have yet to set an exact return date and have been hoping to see how Cousins responds to contact scrimmages. Following Monday’s shootaround, Cousins participated in a scrimmage as Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr looked on.

The Warriors, who have struggled with injuries to Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to start the season, are tied with the LA Clippers for first place in the West with a record of 14-7.

Cousins, a four-time All-Star, averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists in 48 games for the Pelicans last season.

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