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DeMarcus Cousins’ return to the NBA after an ACL tear didn’t go exactly as planned.
The four-time All-Star struggled to start his game while averaging 5.8 points and 5.8 rebounds in minutes off the Houston Rockets bench. Meanwhile, his beef with NBA officials continues.
Cousins thrown for a harsh foul on LeBron
Cousins was sent off in Sunday’s 120-102 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, the second time he’s been thrown in six games this season.
Sunday’s expulsion came thanks to one of the NBA’s biggest transgressions – a serious foul on LeBron James.
The incident happened early in the second quarter as James made his way to the basket. Cousins challenged James to the top of the wrench and slapped the ball hard. Instead, he had James’ face with his elbow, sending the Lakers star to the ground.
That was it for Boogie. Officials took a second look at the replay and decided that Cousins had to leave, deeming the offense a flagrant 2 foul. The designation comes with an automatic ejection.
Cousins clearly had no intention of mischief with his move. It’s not hard to conclude that the combination of Cousins ’reputation and James’ status as the face of the league played a role in Cousins ousting. But he would have been thrown with a blatant 1 despite everything thanks to a previous offense.
Cousins started in the first quarter with another player known for his temper, Markieff Morris.
The cousins pushed Morris to the ground in what looked like a direct response to Morris pushing Rockets guard Jae’Sean Tate a moment earlier. Morris stood up and looked ready to have more than words with cousins.
Cousins walked away as coaches, players and officials kept Morris from further engaging with the Houston center. Both players committed technical fouls for the incident. Morris also took a flagrant 1 for pushing Tate. The bad count earned Morris his own ejection.
Minutes later, Cousins was thrown out for the second time in six games.
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