DeMarcus Cousins, a former NBA All-Star, issued a public apology after a heated courtside confrontation during a game in Puerto Rico led to his suspension and eventual release. The altercation occurred Monday night as Cousins, playing for the Guaynabo Mets in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional (BSN), got into a verbal exchange with a courtside fan during a timeout.
Tensions escalated quickly, resulting in Cousins being ejected and pelted with drinks by spectators as he exited the arena. Once a four-time All-Star with the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans, Cousins now faces renewed scrutiny over player-fan interactions in professional sports.
DeMarcus Cousins Breaks Silence After Puerto Rico Brawl Leads to Suspension and Release
The incident unfolded during a road game Monday, where Cousins was seen making a crude gesture toward a heckler, then grabbing the man’s arm and slapping at him. Teammates intervened, escorting Cousins off the court as fans threw food and drinks, sparking another confrontation.
Cousins, 34, later posted an Instagram story to issue an apology:
“I want to apologize to the fans of Puerto Rico for my actions. I have so much love and respect for the island.”
The BSN announced Tuesday that Cousins had been suspended for the rest of the season. He was also fined $4,250 for a disqualifying foul, a technical foul, and conduct deemed “inciting or provoking others.” The penalty may increase to $10,000 unless Cousins can “show cause” why it should not.
As he left the court, Cousins appeared to make a lewd gesture toward a heckler and then grabbed the man’s arm. A fan threw a drink, prompting more to follow. Security and teammates restrained Cousins as the scene turned chaotic.
WOW — DeMarcus Cousins was ejected, and fans threw drinks at him —
Cousins went after the fans. 😳
(via @12magnificos)— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 10, 2025
Once one of the NBA’s top big men, Cousins was drafted fifth overall in 2010 by the Kings. Over 11 NBA seasons, he averaged 19.6 points and 10.2 rebounds. He made four straight All-Star teams from 2015 to 2018 and earned All-NBA Second Team honors in 2015 and 2016.
Cousins was part of the Golden State Warriors squad that lost in the 2019 NBA Finals and finished third in 2011 Rookie of the Year voting behind Blake Griffin and John Wall.
A torn Achilles in 2018 derailed his career, and he missed the entire 2019-20 season. Since then, he’s played for various international leagues, including stops in Taiwan, Mongolia, and Ice Cube’s Big3 League.
His most recent NBA stint came in 2021-22 with the Denver Nuggets and Milwaukee Bucks. This latest incident adds to a history of volatility, including a 2021 ejection less than three minutes into a game due to back-to-back technical fouls.
