Cousins returns for Kings vs. Bucks

DeMarcus Cousins will return to the Sacramento Kings' lineup Thursday against the Milwaukee Bucks, the team has confirmed.

Cousins has missed the last 10 games with viral meningitis, watching from the bench as the Kings went 2-8 over that time, during which they fired head coach Mike Malone.

The Kings currently trail the eighth-place New Orleans Pelicans by only 1.5 games in the early Western Conference standings, although it's unlikely they'll hang around the playoff race much longer given that Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have returned to boost the streaking Oklahoma City Thunder.

If the Kings do have any chance of competing for a playoff spot or even playing .500 basketball, they'll need Cousins in the lineup.

Boogie looked like an MVP candidate through the first 15 games of the season, averaging 23.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.5 blocks and 1.1 steals to lead the Kings to a 9-6 record.

The Kings outscored opponents by an average of 11.1 points per 100 possessions with Cousins on the court through those first 15 games, but have been outscored by nine points per 100 possessions with their star on the bench this season, according to NBA.com.