After missing 10-consecutive games while battling viral meningitis, Cousins returned with a vengeance on Thursday night in Sacramento.
The budding All-Star recorded a monster stat line of 27 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, with his only signs of fatigue coming in the first quarter when he signaled for Head Coach Tyrone Corbin to give him a breather after the opening six minutes.
“I felt a little winded in the beginning; got my second wind (and) everything else was fine. I’m still not at the level I was before but I was able to play through," said DeMarcus following the game.
The 27 points marked Cousins’ 12th 20-point game of the season, but the star center would have surely liked to finish with a game-high 29.
With 6.8 seconds remaining, the Kings looked to their returning big man to come up with the big shot.
However, the storybook ending of his return did not come for Kings fans. No. 15’s step-back jumper as time expired fell short and Sacramento took yet another tough loss on its home floor.
The setback was the team’s fourth consecutive at home – fifth consecutive overall - and dropped the Kings to 11-15 on the season.
The Kings will point to their defense of the three-point line as a probable culprit, as Milwaukee connected from deep a Sacramento opponent season-high 10 times in the first half and 13 times overall - outscoring the home team by 21 from distance.
“They made a lot of tough shots – we ran them off the line, they made the right play," said Rudy after the game. "You have to give them a lot of praise."
Chances were there for the Kings to win this game, as they used a 10-0 run in the third quarter to take a six-point lead and were tied with one minute to play, but Zaza Pachulia’s offensive rebound and free throw with less than 10 seconds to play proved to be the difference.
Ben McLemore again played well for Sacramento, tallying 22 points, four rebounds and three assists on 80 percent from the field and 100 percent from the line. His play has been a definite bright spot for the Kings over a quarter of the way through the season.
Rudy Gay also shined as his running mate returned to action, recording his 16th 20-point game of the season, to go along with nine rebounds and six assists.
Sacramento will look to get back in the win column as it closes its five-game home stand against the rival Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday.
Peja’s Number Lifted to the Rafters
Two nights after being honored at midcourt for his jersey retirement ceremony, Peja Stojakovic was in attendance again to see his No. 16 unveiled next to his former teammates, Chris Webber and Vlade Divac.
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