Nuggets’ DeMarcus Cousins fined by the NBA for kicking towels
While the Nuggets and Cousins will undoubtedly be annoyed by the sanction, they both have bigger problems on their hands as they prepare to fight off elimination.
In a week that has seen the league clamp down firmly on dissent from players and coaches alike, the Nuggets star now joins the list of those who have been punished.
DeMarcus Cousins fined by the NBA
According to a league announcement on Tuesday, DeMarcus Cousins of the Denver Nuggets has been fined eceived a $15,000 sanction for kicking towels into the crowd during Game 4 of his team’s first-round series against the Golden State Warriors. The moment occurred in the second quarter of the Nuggets’ 126-1 21 victory over the Warriors at Ball Arena. Cousins, who was seemingly enraged as a result of seeing a third foul called against him in just five minutes, proceeded to walk to his team’s bench and after greeting some of his teammates went on to vent his frustrations on an unsuspecting pile of towels. As he kicked them, some of the towels could be seen landing on fans who were sat courtside.
How did DeMarcus Cousins do against Golden State?
Regardless of the unsportsmanlike moment and the subsequent fine that he has now received, Cousins actually had a credible performance on Sunday night as the Nuggets staved off elimination - for the moment - to leave the series at 3-1. The victory was to some extent the result of Cousins himself, as Denver managed a 14-2 run with him on the court at the beginning of the second quarter. In total the center posted 10 points on 3-for-3 shooting to go with four rebounds and two assists. The Nuggets will now have to repeat the feat in San Francisco on Wednesday night if they hope to avoid leaving the playoffs in the first round.
The NBA stands firm on discipline and dissent
Cousins is the latest to be fined by the NBA in the week, which has seen Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid and Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams all fined $15,000 each for criticizing the officials in their respective games. While Cousins didn’t directly criticize the referees in his game, it’s clear that his action was in response to one of their calls and to make matters worse, it affected fans who were present. Both situations seemingly condemned him in the eyes of a league that has clearly taken a firm stance on what they will allow to be said and done.