Cousins primed to join Warriors' All-Star roster

LOS ANGELES - Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins, who hasn't played in nearly a year, remains on track for a Friday return when the reigning NBA champions visit the Los Angeles Clippers.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr said on Tuesday before Golden State thumped Denver 142-111 - with the Warriors scoring an NBA record 51 points in the first quarter - that steady progress has continued for Cousins, who was sidelined after surgery to repair a ruptured left Achilles tendon.

"It's a relief. It's been a long year for me, a lot of ups and downs," Cousins said last week. "But the finish line is ahead and I'm extremely excited to be back on the floor."