UPDATE (1:50pm on Tuesday) -- Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended one game without pay for receiving his 16th technical foul of the 2016-17 season, it was announced on Tuesday by Kiki VanDeWeghe, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.
Under NBA rules, a player or coach is automatically suspended without pay for one game once he receives his 16th technical foul during a regular season. For every two additional technical fouls received during that regular season, the player or coach will be automatically suspended for an additional game.
Cousins received his most recent technical foul with :01.1 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Kings’ 112-107 loss to the Chicago Bulls at Golden 1 Center on Feb. 6. Cousins will serve his suspension on Feb. 8 when the Kings host the Boston Celtics at Golden 1 Center.
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In addition, Cousins has been fined $25,000 for making an inappropriate statement and gesture after leaving the playing court following the Kings’ 109-106 overtime win against the Golden State Warriors on Feb. 4 at Golden 1 Center.
NBA media services
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SACRAMENTO -- DeMarcus Cousins has been collecting technical fouls this season at an alarming pace and barring a late reprieve from the NBA, the All-Star center will have to watch Wednesday’s matchup against the Boston Celtics from home.
NBA
Cousins, 26, notched his 15th technical of the season at the end of the third quarter Monday night when a skirmish broke out near the Bulls bench. Coming to the aid of Matt Barnes, Cousins was given a slight push from Bulls assistant coach Jim Boylen. He retaliated by shoving back and under review, the officiating crew deemed the incident infraction-worthy.
In the final seconds of the game, Cousins felt he was fouled on a 3-point attempt and made demonstrative move with his arms while yelling something into the air. With 1.1 seconds remaining in the game, the officiating crew hit Cousins with his 16th technical and he ejected from the game.
According to sources, Cousins met with league officials last week to discuss both the way he has been officiated this season and many of his previous technical foul infractions.
The NBA rescinded three of Cousins’ infractions already this year, but they also hit him with an additional technical after video review of an early-season game.
With his 16th technical foul, the NBA will assess Cousins a $5,000 fine and a one game suspension without pay. The lost game check will cost the All-Star big an estimated $154,000.
Since the 16-technical foul rule was installed before the 2005-06 season, Cousins is the fastest to reach the limit. Dwight Howard was previously the quickest player to a 16-technical suspension, getting his on March 5 of the 2010-11 season.
Sacramento is just 52 games into their regular season schedule and with 30 games remaining, Cousins will have to curb his on-court behavior or risk accruing massive amounts of fines.
Following his 16th tech, Cousins will receive a $5,000 fine for each new infraction and a one-game suspension after each two additional technical foul calls.