DeMarcus Cousins ruled out for Pelicans game, on track for Friday return

DENVER — Last week, when Warriors head coach Steve Kerr publicly acknowledged that the team was targeting its Jan. 18 game against the Clippers for DeMarcus Cousins’ return from a torn left Achilles tendon, he conceded that Cousins could come back sooner.

"Maybe it’s the New Orleans game a couple of days earlier (on Jan. 16)," Kerr said. "Maybe it’s the first game after that, but that’s definitely the range."

Before Tuesday night’s game against the Nuggets at Pepsi Center, Kerr said that Cousins has been ruled out for Wednesday’s game against the Pelicans. He is still on track, however, to make his Golden State debut Friday against the Clippers at Staples Center.