Sam Amick and Jeff Zillgitt

USA TODAY Sports

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has missed the past five games with a case of viral meningitis and continues to recover slowly, according to two people with knowledge of the situation.

The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because the team had not detailed the initial diagnosis.

The Kings announced Wednesday that Cousins had been treated at a local hospital for a viral infection and that he would miss this weekend's games against the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic.

But while the possibility was left open that he could return on Monday against the Utah Jazz, it's now more likely that he would attempt to resume basketball activities later in the week is expected to miss at least another seven to 10 days.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meningitis is "an inflammation of the tissue that covers the brain and spinal cord."

The symptoms are often similar to those that come from influenza, and full recovery of viral meningitis typically takes seven to 10 days without treatment.

Cousins' absence has put a serious damper on the Kings' surprising season, as he was playing at an MVP-caliber level before turning ill and Sacramento (10-10) has gone just 1-4 since he last played on Nov. 26. Cousins was averaging 23.5 points and an NBA-best 12.6 rebounds through 15 games.