The Golden State Warriors are locked in a tense battle with the Houston Rockets in the NBA playoffs and some reinforcements could be on the way.
Head coach Steve Kerr told reporters today that big man Damian Jones could be set to return from a pectoral injury, adding that DeMarcus Cousins could also make a shock return to the court after suffering a torn left quad.
"He'll be cleared for contact next week so he can start playing three-on-three," Kerr told reporters of Jones, who has not played since December.
"It's a possibility that [Jones] could be back," Kerr said Sunday, per Connor Letourneau of the San Francisco Chronicle. "And same with DeMarcus. He's coming along pretty well, so it's kind of wait and see. He's had just normal progression from the injury."
Steve Kerr said it’s possible DeMarcus Cousins (quad) and Damian Jones (pectoral muscle) could return in the playoffs. Jones will be cleated for contact work I’m coming days: pic.twitter.com/aNt5aV9O9B
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) May 5, 2019
Cousins was expected to miss the entire playoffs after suffering a torn left quad in the Game 2 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers, with Kerr saying at the time it was 'unlikely' he would play again this season.
Cousins, who did not require surgery on his injury, began shooting drills last week and was on court getting shots up ahead of Game 3 in Houston.
#Warriors DeMarcus Cousins taking shots with his team before tonight’s Game 3 ... carefully. pic.twitter.com/rkMyZkTENX
— Mindi Bach (@MindiABC7) May 4, 2019
Through the first three games of the series, the Warriors have opted to go small against the Rockets, playing Draymond Green at the five for long stretches, while Kevon Looney and Andrew Bogut have been used sparingly.