SACRAMENTO -- DeMarcus Cousins has no margin for error. The three-time All-Star got tangled up with big man Donatas Motiejunas in the first quarter of the Sacramento Kings game against the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday evening. While fighting for a rebound, Cousins inadvertently caught Motiejunas with an open hand across the face and picked up his 17th technical foul of the season.
Cousins immediately headed to the locker room to cool down after the incident. He returned to the floor in the second quarter.
The call that leaves Cousins just one technical away from another NBA suspension. The 26-year-old big man missed Wednesday’s win over the Boston Celtics due to league suspension over his 16th technical foul.
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The technical cost Cousins an additional $5000 in fines. If he picks up another tech, it will cost him $5000, plus a game check estimated at $154,000.
Minutes after the incident, rookie Buddy Hield grabbed Cousins below the waist and was ejected from the game with a Flagrant 2 call.
Hield will likely be hearing from the league office in the coming 24 hours for the low blow.