Cousins suffered a partially torn quad muscle in the Warriors’ opening-round series against the Clippers on April 15. Initially, Cousins was ruled out indefinitely, and many people anticipated he would have to sit out the remainder of the postseason. But he said earlier this week he’s hopeful of playing again during Golden State’s drive for a third consecutive championship: “For me, my goal is I ain’t planning on sitting. I don’t know the reality of it. But for me, that is not what I’m planning on doing. … It’s definitely some type of bad movie. But I think it will have a very nice ending. Just wait for it.” Cousins’ injury occurred in a non-contact situation after he made a steal. The injury did not require surgery, and he’s made steady progress during his rehab. If he doesn’t have any setbacks, he could give the club a major boost inside with his scoring and rebounding. It’s still unknown how much time Kevin Durant will miss due to a calf strain suffered in Game 5 against Houston. Cousins spent a year rehabbing from a torn left Achilles tendon he suffered while playing for the Pelicans. He made his Warriors debut on January 18. He could also give his free agent stock a boost if he returns and plays well. He’ll be on the open market once again this offseason.<doc-sep>Cousins (quad) is on course to return to the Warriors' active roster in the Western Conference Finals, Mark Stein of The New York Times reports. It remains to be seen what type of role Cousins would be ready to play if he could return in the WCF, but it continues the momentum of optimism regarding his status in the previous week. He was originally deemed highly unlikely to return in the playoffs, but reports have come out in the past few days which counter that original prognosis. While it still seems unlikely that he would play a significant role in the series should he ultimately return at some point, the Warriors could potentially be at full strength if they are able to secure a spot in the Finals.<doc-sep>After an injury-filled start to the playoffs, the Golden State Warriors finally seem to be getting some good news. Although there’s no firm date on his return yet, center DeMarcus Cousins is “on course” to return to the Warriors in their next series. Another reward for the victorious Warriors: League sources say that DeMarcus Cousins -- if he maintains his recent progress from a torn quad -- is on course to make a return to the Warriors' active roster during the Western Conference finals — Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 11, 2019 Cousins was expected to mis the entire playoffs after partially tearing his left quad in the first round oft he playoffs, but the injury is improving faster than planned. Game 1 of the Western Conference finals will tip off Tuesday with the series ending as soon as May 20 and Game 7 scheduled for May 26. This injury news is especially welcomed after star forward Kevin Durant went down in Game 5 of the second round with a right calf strain. Warriors add much-needed depth While Cousins can’t replace Durant’s league-leading 34.2 points per game in the postseason, he gives the team crucial depth after it nearly cost it last series. Without Durant for the end of Game 5 and all of Game 6 — plus Cousins for the entire series — the Warriors had to lean heavily on their old Lineup of Death. Starters Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green averaged 38.9 minutes per game, which is more than eight minutes higher than their regular-season averages. The bench was fairly unproductive too with only two players — Kevon Looney (36) and Shaun Livingston (26) — totaling double-digit points in the series. Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins is 'on course' to return next series. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu) Cousins’ impact going forward The Warriors don’t yet know their opponent for the Western Conference finals with the Denver Nuggets and Portland Trail Blazers knotted at three games apiece, but Cousins is sure to make a large impact. Story continues Although he only scored 11 points on 13 shots in 25 minutes during the first round, Cousins averaged 16.3 points per game during the regular season and has the ability to stretch the floor as a 3-point threat. Durant will likely return by the end of the playoffs, which means the Warriors can be back to full health before long. And potentially adding further depth, big man Damian Jones was cleared for contact and will begin three-on-three practice shortly. Even without Durant and Cousins, FiveThirtyEight gives the Warriors a 78 percent chance at making the NBA Finals and a 51 percent chance of winning the title. But with the team at full strength, they would be back to heavy favorites again. More from Yahoo Sports:<doc-sep>
The Golden State Warriors should get Kevin Durant back sometime in the next couple of weeks, at some point during the Western Conference Finals. It looks like they may also get DeMarcus Cousins back. Reports had been trickling in of his progress in rehab from a torn quadriceps muscle in Game 2 of the first round against the Clippers. Those reports were not wrong, and Marc Stein of The New York Times broke the news. Another reward for the victorious Warriors: League sources say that DeMarcus Cousins — if he maintains his recent progress from a torn quad — is on course to make a return to the Warriors' active roster during the Western Conference finals — Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 11, 2019 This playoff run is why DeMarcus Cousins came to Golden State in the first place (well, that and he wasn’t getting other offers coming off a torn Achilles). Cousins had never been to the playoffs before and wanted to be part of a playoff team poised to go far, to earn himself a ring to add to his resume, to burnish his reputation, and all of that will help him land bigger free agent offers next summer. Cousins has put in the work to get back. “For me, my goal is I ain’t planning on sitting,” Cousins told The Undefeated at ESPN. Cousins could play a key role if he is back the next round, the Warriors could use his big body and strength against Denver’s Nikola Jokic or Portland’s Enes Kanter. In the Finals, there are undoubtedly good matchups for Cousins at the five, depending on which team comes out of the East (and that the Warriors make it through). Things are breaking the Warriors way. Just what the rest of the league needed to hear.