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.
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The NBA rescinded three of Cousins' infractions already this year, but they also hit him with an additional technical after video review of an early-season game.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.
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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.
