Update:
After meeting with Lakers physicians, it was determined that DeMarcus Cousins has torn his ACL, according to The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Cousins will likely miss at least the entirety of the regular season and may not be fit to join the team for the postseason. The devastating injury comes fewer than two years after a torn Achilles and months after a ruptured quad for Cousins.
Original Story Follows:
On Thursday it was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski/ESPN that new Los Angeles Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins suffered a possible knee injury during a workout on Monday.
Lakers center DeMarcus Cousins has suffered a possible knee injury and will undergo further testing today in Los Angeles, league sources tell ESPN. Cousins was working out in Las Vegas on Monday when he had to leave the court, sources said. He signed a one-year deal in July.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) August 15, 2019
The extent of the injury is obviously not known at this time, with testing today to confirm the severity. Although, the fact that Adrian Wojnarowski has felt the need to tweet this three days after it happened is telling.
More context on the injury would help. If it was just a bang-bang play where Cousins’ knee collided into someone else’s, it may just be a bone bruise. If it was a non-contact injury, then there might be structural damage that would lead to a possible tear which would keep Cousins out for possibly the entire 2019-20 season.
The Lakers signed DeMarcus Cousins this summer to a one-year deal in the aftermath of missing out on signing Kawhi Leonard. It’s been believed that Boogie would be able to compete for the starting center job, as Anthony Davis will most likely be playing the four for the team. JaVale McGee was also brought back after his first year with the Lakers last year. He would also compete with Cousins for the job, and would definitely be the starting center if Cousins were to be out for the beginning of the season due to this injury.
UPDATE: According to Wojnarowski/ESPN, the injury was from “bumping knees” with someone else, with Cousins meeting with Lakers’ team physicians today. If it’s only bumping knees, the chances of a possible structural tear are low.
Stay tuned with us for more updates on the injury, including results of the testing that should come out either tonight or tomorrow.
