Newly minted All-Star starter DeMarcus Cousins was helped off the court late in New Orleans' 115-113 win over Houston Friday night after suffering a non-contact injury to his left leg.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after the game that Cousins suffered an injury to his left Achilles. Multiple reports later surfaced that the initial diagnosis of a torn Achilles tendon was confirmed by an MRI. Cousins is expected to miss the rest of the 2017-18 season.
Sources: MRI on Pelicans All-Star DeMarcus Cousins revealed a full rupture of his left Achilles tendon. — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 27, 2018
Source: An MRI has confirmed diagnosis on DeMarcus Cousins: Torn left Achilles, out for the season. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2018
Range on recovery for DeMarcus Cousins, league source tells ESPN: 6-to-10 months. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2018
Cousins finished the game with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, marking his second triple-double this week. New Orleans has now won four straight and seven of its last eight games.
Cousins' standing as a teammate and a star player have never been higher while helping the Pelicans inch closer to their first playoff appearance since 2015 -- and the first postseason of Cousins' own eight-year career.
The 6-10 big man is averaging career-highs in rebounds, assists, steals and 3-pointers made per contest in the final season of his current contract. Cousins was expected to command a new max salary deal this offseason. Between New Orleans investing in him via trade last season and Cousins' dominant pairing with fellow big man Anthony Davis, the Pelicans figured to play a prominent role in his free agent decision.
Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
New Orleans Pelicans star DeMarcus Cousins was helped off the court during the fourth quarter of Friday's game against the Houston Rockets after reportedly suffering a full rupture of his left Achilles, per Shams Charania of The Vertical.
Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN first reported the possible rupture.
"We're scared about it," head coach Alvin Gentry said, per Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle. "I feel horrible for him. Everything that he's done and what he's made himself and the improvements in all areas that he's made, on and off the court, it's just been great. Our guys feel terrible."
The injury occurred when Cousins was attempting to get his own rebound after missing a free-throw attempt. He swatted at the ball, grabbed his left leg and fell to the ground in the final seconds of New Orleans' eventual 115-113 victory at the Smoothie King Center.
After being acquired by the Pelicans in a midseason trade last February, Cousins has paired nicely with Anthony Davis. The 27-year-old is averaging 25.4 points and 12.9 rebounds in 47 games this season entering Friday's game.
Depth is not a strength for the Pelicans as they seek a return to the playoffs following a two-year absence. Cousins and Davis both average a double-double and have carried the team to a 27-21 record after defeating the Rockets.
The Pelicans are particularly thin at center behind Cousins. Alexis Ajinca is likely out for the season after surgery in December to fix his right patellar tendon. Cheick Diallo is a power forward who can play the position with Davis shifting to center for head coach Alvin Gentry with Cousins likely out for the season.
DeMarcus Cousins suffered a reported torn Achilles' tendon injury Friday night during the New Orleans Pelicans' 115-113 victory over the Houston Rockets. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry confirmed the injury after the game, saying the severity wouldn't be known until an MRI is performed Saturday.
But according to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the injury is season-ending -- Cousins has a torn Achilles. While an MRI is still to be done to confirm the injury, it's reportedly very clear.
DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a torn left Achilles tendon, league sources tell ESPN. He will miss the rest of the season. The MRI is coming soon, but diagnosis is clear. — Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2018
While going for a rebound off a missed free throw in the fourth quarter, Cousins came up limping. The injury appeared to be non-contact related. He was unable to apply pressure while being helped off the floor.
DeMarcus Cousins is helped off the court after sustaining an apparent left leg injury. pic.twitter.com/c3wdNCo4JA — ESPN (@espn) January 27, 2018
This is a huge blow to New Orleans. He has been one of their most important players this season and a big part of the success they've seen as of late. The Pelicans will now be without a huge inside presence that has worked perfectly next to Anthony Davis.
Some Achilles' injuries are career altering. Others are a bump in the road. Kobe Bryant was never the same after he injured his, but Rudy Gay managed to be ready by October 2017 after rupturing his Achilles on Jan. 19, 2017 last season. We'll just have to wait and see what the future is like for Cousins.
