DeMarcus Cousins of the Golden State Warriors caused a sensation at the guest appearance of the champion at the New York Knicks. The still injured center was kicked out by the referees in the first quarter, after he had verbally fought Enes Kanter.
According to information from Marc J. Spears (The Undefeated), the verbal exchange between cousins and Kanter began hours before the game, when the two met for workouts in the hall. The league is said to have noticed the dispute and warned the referees about the game.
So it was Referee Scott Foster, who expelled Boogie, who sat in civilian on the Warriors bench, from the hall, after already during the game warnings against the two squabblers were pronounced.
“Kanter and Cousins were both warned before the ejection that they should refrain from trash talk,” Foster explained after the game. “Cousins ignored this and was sent off for a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct in the hall.”
Usually two technical fouls are needed to make a player ejected, but Foster says that one offence was enough for cousins. It was more about the behaviour and the tone of voice than about the choice of words.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr also confirmed the referee’s statement and announced a meeting with Boogie. “I’ll talk to him about it and listen to what he has to say and what happened.”
After his Achilles tendon rupture, Cousins is still in advanced training. However, it is still unknown when the center will be back on court. The multiple All-Star signed a one-season contract with the two-time champion this summer, having previously worked for the New Orleans Pelicans.