Cousins overcomes nerves in first game for Warriors
LOS ANGELES >> DeMarcus Cousins was nervous. His stomach felt tight and filled with butterflies. He grabbed his phone and fired off texts to family and friends. He talked to his brother and sister.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr and the rest of the Warriors reassured Cousins it wasn’t just about Friday night’s game against the Los Angeles Clippers.
It’s about the rest of his career. Making his Warriors debut after being sidelined for nearly a year, the big man called Boogie scored 14 points before fouling out of a 112-94 victory.
“It’s been a long journey,” Cousins said. “This was probably one of the best days of my life being back on the floor playing the game that I love.”
After missing his first shot, Cousins announced his presence with a onehanded slam off Kevin Durant’s bounce pass for the Warriors’ first basket.
“It was like poetry,” teammate Stephen Curry said.
Cousins was called for two fouls in the first three minutes and sat down.
“I’m just glad to know I can still dunk,” he said. “That felt good.”
Cousins joined the lineup at a time when Golden State has won seven in a row and an NBA-leading six straight on the road. Friday was the start of a five-game trip that will take the team back East, giving players time to bond.
“It’s good for him to come in at a time we’re playing well and things are calm,” Kerr said. “It allows for an easier re-entry.”
As if the Warriors weren’t potent enough with Curry and Durant, Cousins’ return made them the first team in 42 years to start five All-Stars from the previous season.
“We’re not going to drink our own Kool-Aid in terms of understanding that just because he’s back, it’s a totally different team,” Curry said. “We still have things we’ve got to work on. We still have details we have to focus on. These next four games on the road are going to be tough, so it’ll test us right out of the gate with DeMarcus in the lineup.”