FIBA World Cup: DeMarcus Cousins injured in Team USA practice

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins injured his right knee in Thursday's practice, the first since Team USA lost Indiana Pacers star forward Paul George to a leg injury.

 

Cousins will undergo what national team general manager Jerry Colangelo said is a precautionary MRI exam and is out for Saturday's exhibition against Brazil at the United Center. Team USA is practicing this week at Qwest MultiSport training facility in Chicago, site of the NBA Draft Combine.

 

In addition to Kevin Durant, who withdrew last week citing mental and physical fatigue, the preliminary roster of 16 is reduced to 14 players for the exhibition this weekend.

 

Colangelo said he is hopeful Cousins is not seriously injured. A sprained knee could bring a recovery time of 4-6 weeks, which would eliminate the center from the FIBA World Cup of Basketball in Spain, which begins Aug. 30. The championship game is Sept. 14.

 

The list of All-Stars not on the team represents a virtual who's who in the NBA, including LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Durant, who withdrew after Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Blake Griffin had done the same. — Reuters