(The Sports Xchange) – Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins injured his right knee in yesterday’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 tomorrow’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.
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Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas underwent successful arthroscopy on his left wrist and is expected to be fully recovered in time for training camp, the team said.
Thomas was acquired from the Sacramento Kings in a sign-and-trade deal on July 12.
Last season, he averaged career-highs of 20.3 points on 45.3 percent shooting, 6.3 assists, 2.9 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game for the Kings.
For his three-year career, Thomas has averaged 15.3 points per game.
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The Toronto Raptors signed free agent Jordan Hamilton to a one year deal. Terms of the agreement were not released.
Hamilton split time last season with the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets averaging 6.7 points and 3.2 rebounds per game.
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Boris Diaw played an integral role for San Antonio as the Spurs won the NBA title this past season. Diaw parlayed his excellent play into a new three-year, $22.5 contract.
Now he hopes to continue that play with France in this summer’s FIBA World Cup. Diaw acquired sufficient insurance and was granted permission by the Spurs to participate in the tournament.
Spurs teammate Tony Parker is not playing for France this summer.