DeMarcus Cousins will not step on the NBA court for the remainder of the season. Cousins tore his left Achilles tendon last night against the Houston Rockets. With 15 seconds left in the game, Cousins was at the free throw line looking to ice the game. He missed the free throw and went after it, landing awkwardly on his left foot. He had to be helped off the court. He ended the game with a 15 point, 13 rebound, 11 assist triple-double performance.
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Cousins was having a career year with averages of 25 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists a game. The New Orleans Pelicans were having their best season in many years. They are currently ranked 6th in the highly competitive western conference and were on the road to the playoffs.
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Pelicans’ playoff hopes will take a major hit with this injury. This was one team which could create some serious matchup problems for any of the top western conference teams. Nobody wants to see them in the first round of the playoffs.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry tells ESPN in a text message: "We were starting to play damn good basketball. DeMarcus has been great." Pelicans are 27-21, just one game out of the 5th seed in the Western Conference.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) January 27, 2018
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Clearly the Pelicans are in one heck of a pickle. Their best player has been sidelined for the season who will be an unrestricted free agent this off-season. Their second best player Anthony Davis has been on and off due to injuries. The February 8 Trade Deadline is also coming up. Let’s just say the Pelicans management has to go to work for the next few days.
It is yet to be decided who will take Cousins’ spot in the All-Star game.