Former Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins stirred up quite the controversy in a Puerto Rico basketball league game on Monday, reminding fans of the infamous “Malice at the Palace” incident. It all went down during the fourth quarter when Cousins, playing for the Guaynabo Mets, found himself in a verbal altercation with a fan courtside.
The situation escalated quickly when Cousins, perhaps fueled by frustration, grabbed his crotch in front of the fan, who retaliated by flipping him off. A scuffle seemed imminent as Cousins made contact with the fan multiple times before teammates stepped in to defuse the tension. However, the real drama unfolded after Cousins was ejected from the game.
As he was being escorted through the tunnel, he took a swing at an irate fan and raised his middle finger in defiance toward the crowd. This incited a frenzy among the spectators, who responded by hurling drinks at Cousins. At this point, things were getting heated, and thankfully, multiple security personnel intervened, preventing what could have escalated into a chaotic situation.
At 34 years old, Cousins hasn’t graced an NBA court since the 2021-22 season. Once hailed as a future superstar, his career has been plagued by injuries that hindered his ascent. Despite that, he’s kept his professional basketball journey alive, playing in various leagues worldwide. He made his debut with the Guaynabo Mets in 2023 and has played stints in Taiwan and Mongolia before rejoining the Mets for the 2025 season.
Following Monday’s outburst, one has to wonder about Cousins’ future with the team—and potentially any chance of returning to the NBA. While Monday’s incident didn’t reach the catastrophic levels of the “Malice at the Palace,” the optics of the situation certainly raise concerns. It’s difficult to envision a scenario where an NBA team would overlook the fallout from such an incident when evaluating Cousins for a roster spot. With emotions running high and tensions flaring, this episode serves as a reminder of the fine line athletes walk when passion turns into conflict.
