DeMarcus Cousins, a four-time NBA All-Star and two-time All-NBA Team member, has long been known for his fiery temper, amassing 14 ejections—tied for the sixth-most in NBA history—and over 140 technical fouls during his 11-year NBA career. Despite his undeniable talent, Cousins’ career often felt like it fell short of its potential, hampered by two serious injuries and the struggles of his teams. His tenure with the Sacramento Kings never yielded a playoff appearance, and even when he joined the star-studded Golden State Warriors in 2019, injuries to both Cousins and Kevin Durant derailed their championship hopes.
WOW — DeMarcus Cousins was ejected, and fans threw drinks at him —
Cousins went after the fans. 😳
(via @12magnificos)
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) June 10, 2025
That same volatile temperament reared its head again on Monday night during a game in Puerto Rico’s professional basketball league. Playing for the Guaynabo Mets against the Vaqueros de Bayamon, Cousins found himself in a heated altercation with a courtside fan. The exchange escalated quickly, leading to Cousins’ ejection from the game. As he made his way through the tunnel, frustrated fans pelted him with drinks and popcorn, further fueling his anger. Visibly enraged, Cousins attempted to push through police officers and team personnel to confront the culprits, even exchanging obscene gestures with the instigating fan. Teammate Theo Pinson did his best to de-escalate the situation, but the scene was chaotic.
DeMarcus Cousins and a fan sitting courtside get into an altercation.
What in the world… (via @LaGuerraBSN)pic.twitter.com/TeBEugvrUq
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) June 10, 2025
This incident draws unsettling parallels to the infamous 2004 Malice at the Palace, where Ron Artest (now Metta Sandiford-Artest) charged into the stands after a fan threw a drink at him, sparking a brawl that led to significant NBA rule changes regarding player-fan interactions. The Puerto Rican league may now face pressure to implement similar measures to prevent such confrontations in the future. For Cousins, this outburst serves as a stark reminder of the challenges he’s faced in managing his emotions, a recurring theme that has followed him from the NBA to international courts.