Kings suspend C DeMarcus Cousins indefinitely for unprofessional behaviour, detrimental conduct

DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended indefinitely by the Sacramento Kings for “unprofessional behaviour and conduct detrimental to the team.”

Kings president of basketball operations Geoff Petrie announced the move Saturday.

Cousins and Kings coach Keith Smart exchanged words in the locker room during halftime of Sacramento’s 97-85 loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. Smart benched Cousins for the entire second half and ordered him to remain in the locker room.

Cousins also was suspended one game without pay by the NBA this month for striking Dallas’ O.J. Mayo in the groin. Following a loss at San Antonio on Nov. 9, the league suspended Cousins two games without pay for confronting Spurs announcer Sean Elliott in a “hostile manner.”