Warriors’ center DeMarcus Cousins is targeting a return from his torn Achilles sometime after Christmas, sources told the Bay Area News Group.
According to those sources:
* The determination was made during a meeting on Friday between Cousins and Golden State’s training staff, including head trainer Rick Celebrini.
* Before the meeting, Cousins was hoping to join the lineup during the team’s upcoming five-game road trip.
* There have been no setbacks in his recovery process and the decision to push his target date back was made so Cousins can regain his conditioning and enter the lineup at peak form.
* Cousins is expected to be re-evaluated on his progress Tuesday.
* Cousins – who signed a one-year, $5.2 million deal in July – 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 watched.
Cousins tore his Achilles in January while a member of the New Orleans Pelicans last season. In Cousins’ absence, third-year center Damian Jones has started 19 games, averaging 5.5 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.1 blocks.