Cousins’ injury complicates playoff outlook for Pelicans

By Katie Morrison

It only takes one play to jeopardize a franchise’s best season in a decade. With less than 15 seconds remaining in the New Orleans Pelicans’ win over the Houston Rockets 115–113 at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans on Feb. 26, Pelicans’ center DeMarcus Cousins suffered a left Achilles injury that would end his season.

In the case of Cousins, there was no contact with another player or visibly horrific tweak or strain. When reviewing the video, what appears to be any ordinary basketball play wound up having a great impact on the Pelicans’ overall season, especially their playoff potential.

Cousins’ injury came after attempting to rebound his own missed free throw. As he swatted the ball away from the Rockets’ Trevor Ariza, he jumped near the baseline to prevent the ball from going out of bounds. Cousins came down hard on his left leg, and then hopped around on his right foot a few times before falling to the ground.

An MRI later confirmed a left Achilles tendon rupture. That night, Cousins had earned his ninth career triple-double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists. He averaged 25.2 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 5.4 assists for the Pelicans this season.

The injury was a major loss to both Cousins, who was set to play on Team LeBron in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, as well as the Pelicans, who were well on their way to the playoffs.

Prior to the injury, the Pelicans were playing some of their best basketball in years, with Cousins and Anthony Davis having found their chemistry on the court. The team had won seven of its last eight games.

Since the loss of Cousins, the Pelicans are 4–5, with Davis and company battling just to make the playoffs. That one play that caused the injury has made the challenge of securing a playoff spot much more difficult this season for the Pelicans.