DeMarcus Cousins tossed for elbow to Russell Westbrook
— -- NEW ORLEANS -- Pelicans center? DeMarcus Cousins?has been ejected from a game against Oklahoma City after swinging his elbow near the head of Thunder star Russell Westbrook.
The play occurred Monday night under the Pelicans' basket in the third quarter after Cousins had secured a rebound. When Cousins raised his elbows near Westbrook's face, the Thunder guard dropped to the floor holding his head.
Westbrook promptly grabbed his head, fell and remained sprawled on the floor for several seconds. Replays showed Cousins slightly swung his elbow toward Westbrook, catching him slightly on the back of his head near his neck without following through.
Westbrook was OK and remained in the game.
Officials did not eject Cousins from the game until after viewing replays on a TV at the scorers' table, after which they called a flagrant foul 2.
Hard contact is not required for such a foul. Only an act deemed reckless or dangerous.
It was the second flagrant 2 of the NBA season but the second in two weeks.
On Nov. 5, Carmelo Anthony was given a flagrant 2 and ejected after contact with Portland's Jusuf Nurkic during a drive to the basket.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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