Kings Suspend DeMarcus Cousins

The Sacramento Kings have suspended center DeMarcus Cousins for one game “for conduct detrimental to the team.” Cousins will miss the Kings’ NBA game against the Orlando Magic on Friday night.

Kings Suspend DeMarcus Cousins

The center, an NBA All-Star for two straight seasons, appeared to be shouting and gesturing at Kings coach George Karl during a timeout in Sacramento’s 120-111 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.

Vlade Divac, Sacramento’s general manager, called Cousins “a good kid” and said “I hate doing this” in announcing his suspension.

“Obviously, we try to do our best to send a message that we can’t tolerate some stuff as an organization,” Divac said on Thursday. “He went a little far, and we have to do things to be on the same page. I think DeMarcus is doing very well this year. He is playing very hard. This is something where he was emotionally overwhelmed and did something that he shouldn’t do. … I don’t blame him for the emotions he had, but it’s the wrong thing to do.”

This is not Cousins’ first career suspension. The 25-year-old center and power forward has been suspended seven times for eight games previously throughout his career: five times by the NBA and twice by the Kings.

Cousins logged 29 points and 11 rebounds against the Cavs on Wednesday, but also earned his 15th technical foul this season.

Cousins is averaging 27.4 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game this season. He ranks fourth in the NBA in scoring and fifth in rebounding.

SACRAMENTO, CA – OCTOBER 30: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers and DeMarcus Cousins #15 of the Sacramento Kings go for a loose ball at Sleep Train Arena on October 30, 2015 in Sacramento, California.