© Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Less than 20 minutes before the Warriors tipped off against the Toronto Raptors, the Warriors had not revealed their starting lineup. In Game 1 of the NBA Finals, the Warriors started Jordan Bell at center. But according to the New York Times’s Marc Stein, head coach Steve Kerr decided to slot DeMarcus Cousins into the starting lineup.
DeMarcus Cousins, I'm told, is being moved into the Game 2 starting lineup by Warriors Coach Steve Kerr
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) June 2, 2019
Cousins, of course, managed to recover from what was initially perceived to be a season-ending quad tear in the first round of the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers. Despite those expectations, Cousins made it back for Game 1 of the Finals, in which he played just eight minutes.
Cousins will slot in alongside Andre Iguodala – who was ruled healthy after a scare with a potential calf injury flare up – Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green as the Warriors look to return to Oakland with the series tied after being dealt a 118-109 Game 1 loss by the Raptors.
