NBA notebook: Warriors’ Cousins plans playoff return

If the Warriors can keep playing this postseason
while eyeing another NBA title, so will he, despite having suffered a
partially torn quadriceps muscle.

"For me, my goal is I ain't planning on sitting," Cousins told The Undefeated
on Monday following the Warriors' shootaround ahead of Game 4 against the
Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals. "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."

Cousins, a six-time All-Star who has started taking part in light shooting
drills, tore the quad muscle in his left leg in Game 2 of the first round of
the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 15, but did not require
surgery.

The Warriors announced then that Cousins would be sidelined indefinitely and
would begin rehabilitation immediately, but he was not ruled out for the rest
of the playoffs.

--Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart was back in action for Monday's Game 4
against the Milwaukee Bucks.

Smart has been sidelined since suffering an oblique injury against the Orlando
Magic on April 7. He missed the regular-season finale and all seven playoff
games for the Celtics prior to Monday.

Boston coach Brad Stevens said Smart would play in short segments of four to
five minutes.

--Golden State Warriors assistant coach Jarron Collins became the third
candidate interviewed for the Memphis Grizzlies' head coaching position,
according to ESPN.

Collins, 40, who is in his fifth season with the Warriors after a 10-year NBA
playing career, reportedly met with Grizzlies officials on Sunday.

He joins two other known candidates to replace coach J.B. Bickerstaff, who was
fired last month after posting a 48-97 record in two seasons with Memphis.
Utah Jazz assistant Alex Jensen and EuroLeague coach Sarunas Jasikevicius have
also been linked to the Grizzlies' search.

--Field Level Media