Kings C DeMarcus Cousins (illness) practices, expected to play Thursday

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins practiced Wednesday and is expected to play Thursday vs. the Milwaukee Bucks.

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins practiced Wednesday and is expected to play Thursday vs. the Milwaukee​ Bucks, according to Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee.

Cousins hasn't played since Nov. 26 after contracting viral meningitis. In 15 games, Cousins is averaging 23.5 points and 12.6 rebounds per game, both career-highs. Last season, Cousins played in 71 games, averaging 22.7 points and 11.7 rebounds.

The Kings were 9-6 before Cousins was sidelined, but have gone 2-8 without him. Head coach Mike Malone was fired this week in a move met with widespread surprise considering Cousins' absence. Taking over is assistant coach Ty Corbin, whom Sacramento hired as its top assistant in July after he was the Utah Jazz head coach from 2011-14.

• Report: Sacramento Kings fire second-year coach Mike Malone

In Cousins' place, Ryan Hollins received playing time early on before he was benched in favor of Reggie Evans for Tuesday's game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. Sacramento lost, 104-92.

Evans played 19 minutes, scoring four points and pulling down six rebounds.

Hollins played 17 minutes, scoring six points and adding nine rebounds.

- Mike Fiammetta