© Dan Hamilton | 2019 Jun 2
DeMarcus Cousins put forth perhaps the most important performance of his career Sunday night, dropping 11 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two blocks in 28 crucial minutes. It was just Cousins’ second game since sustaining a quad injury in the second game of the postseason all the way back on April 15.
After a disappointing debut in Game 1, Cousins got the start in Game 2 and looked like the four-time NBA All-Star he is. Tim Kawakami of The Athletic recounted everything that led up to Kerr and his staff deciding to start Cousins on Sunday.
Via The Athletic:
“We talked about it as a staff two days ago,” Kerr said after his news conference. “And it was pretty much unanimous that we should start him. He’s starting to feel healthier. I thought he gave us some good minutes the other night.
“And let’s face it, with the injury to Kevin, we need some scoring punch from another position besides the backcourt.”
And what did Cousins say when told he’d be starting?
“About time!” Kerr said before booming with laughter.
Cousins also reached out to Draymond Green after Game 1, imploring him and the team to trust him in Game 2.
“He texted me after Game 1,” Draymond Green told The Athletic late Sunday. “He said, ‘Yo, I’ve been waiting on this moment. I’m ready for the moment. You gotta trust me.’ Well, Coach showed he trusted him and we all trusted him and he played big for us.”