After Monday’s 110-103 Kings loss the the Hawks, All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins admitted to playing with multiple injuries including his ankle, calf, shoulder and back.
Cousins acknowledged his desire to to continue to play through the various injuries but also expressed concern for his health said that he would “talk to management about it.”
Losing Cousins would further deplete the Kings' roster and impede not only winning but building the culture and style of play that George Karl, who was hired after the All-Star break, is trying to bring to California’s capital city.
[INSTANT REPLAY: Kings battle, but can't get past Hawks]
Rudy Gay missed his second consecutive game on Monday with a knee injury, while starting point guard Darren Collison hasn’t played since suffering a core muscle injury on Feb. 5 in a home loss to Dallas that led to surgery earlier in March.
The 24-year-old Cousins is averaging 23.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per game, ranking fifth and third, respectively in the NBA.
Cousins has missed 14 games this season due to injury and illness including viral meningitis. Sacramento is 2-12 without the Kentucky product in the lineup.
The Kings (22-44) were led by Cousins in Monday’s loss to Atlanta, who secured his 41st double-double of the season scoring 20 points to go along with 13 rebounds.
Game two of the Kings five game homestand is on Wednesday versus the Clippers at Sleep Train Arena.