DeMarcus Cousins out vs. Timberwolves with lower back strain
All-Star big man DeMarcus Cousins won't be in uniform for the Sacramento Kings on Friday night when his 6-10 squad takes on Andrew Wiggins and the Minnesota Timberwolves at Sleep Train Arena.
"Boogie" will miss his second-consecutive game as he deals with a strained lower back.
Cousins' status for the game was getting progressively better over the past 24 hours, jumping from doubtful to questionable before ultimately being ruled out.
This will be the sixth game of the season Cousins misses due to injury, and his seventh total. He was suspended for Sacramento's home game against the Miami Heat on Nov. 19 for delivering a forearm to the head of Atlanta Hawks big Al Horford.
He's averaging 27.9 points on 45 percent shooting from the field and 38.1 percent from 3-point range, along with 11.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 rejections in 10 appearances for the Kings.
Veteran forward Caron Butler will also be out with an ankle injury. The 35-year-old has played in just seven of the team's 16 games.