DeMarcus Cousins injury update: Warrior could return for conference finals, report says

The Warriors just punched their ticket to the Western Conference finals for the fifth consecutive season.

And, more good news came shortly after Golden State's 4-2 series win over Houston. Center DeMarcus Cousins could return during the series.

According to a New York Times report, which cited unidentified league sources, if Cousins continues his recent progress recovering from a torn quad, he could return to the team's active roster.

Another reward for the victorious Warriors: League sources say that DeMarcus Cousins -- if he maintains his recent progress from a torn quad -- is on course to make a return to the Warriors' active roster during the Western Conference finals

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 11, 2019

The report also noted Golden State would be at full strength with the potential return of both Cousins and Kevin Durant, who suffered a strained calf in Game 5 and wasn't able to play in Game 6.

Winning this game tonight, in other words, not only kept alive Golden State's dynasty but could also see the Warriors return to full strength in the next round should both Cousins and Kevin Durant return from injury

— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) May 11, 2019

Cousins has been nursing a torn left quadriceps muscle, which he suffered in the Warriors' first-round series against the Clippers. He began his rehab program earlier this month.

"For me, my goal is I ain't planning on sitting," Cousins recently told ESPN's The Undefeated. "I don't know the reality of it. But for me, that is not what I'm planning on doing. ... It's definitely some type of bad movie. But I think it will have a very nice ending. Just wait for it.

"Obviously, I was little more relieved that it wasn't anything catastrophic like I've dealt with before. It sucks to be injured anyway on top of that. The timing of it really (messed) me up the most. It's a part of this game, man. I'm not the first. I won't be the last."

Cousins finished the regular season averaging 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds in 25.7 minutes per game. He suffered the injury when he fell chasing a loose ball on a fast break in the first quarter of Golden State's Game 2 matchup with Los Angeles.

Coach Steve Kerr has been hopeful Cousins could return if the team makes another deep playoff run, which it is poised to do. Kerr said earlier this month, "There's a good chance the big man will be able to return as the Warriors make a run at another championship."