DeMarcus Cousins Injury: Updates on Kings Star's Quad

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins will be forced to miss time after injuring his left quad.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Mar. 13 at 9:30 p.m. ET by Ben Chodos

NBA.com'as James Ham has clarified his earlier report on Cousins' injury, noting that the center suffered an injury to his quad, not his knee:

"

Being told Cousins has a left quad contusion, not a knee injury. Either way, he will not play.

— James Ham (@James_Ham) March 14, 2013"

---End of update---

NBA.com’s James Ham reported via Twitter that the injury will keep Cousins out of the Kings’ game against the Chicago Bulls:

"

Cousins is out with a left knee injury tonight.

— James Ham (@James_Ham) March 14, 2013"

His absence is due to his knee, and not because of the flagrant 2 foul he received against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 10. However, his clash with Bucks guard Mike Dunleavy also was the cause of his injury. 

USA Today’s Sam Amick reported that the NBA opted not to take action against Cousins for elbowing Dunleavy in his head.

The article also notes that Dunleavy knocked Cousins to the floor—injuring him in the process—while boxing out for a rebound. This caused the Kings’ mercurial star to begin a heated conversation with his opponent. Shortly after, Cousins delivered an elbow to Dunleavy’s head and was ejected from the game.

Amick also notes that this is the fourth time this season Cousins has been suspended.

This season has continued trends that have been in place since Cousins arrived in Sacramento. He is leading the team in scoring with 17 points per game while also averaging 10 rebounds each night.

He has a rare combination of size, strength and athleticism that allows him to score in the post and rebounds like few other players in the NBA are able to. But his immaturity has once again stolen headlines. 

This latest scrap will overshadow his injury, and he is fortunate not to have been punished for his involvement in the incident.

The frustration will likely continue for the Kings and Cousins, as the team needs him to succeed, but injury and indiscretion once again threaten to delay his progress.