Houston Rockets coach Stephen Silas said he fully supported the actions of veteran center DeMarcus Cousins during a skirmish with Los Angeles Lakers forward Markieff Morris early in Sunday’s game.
Late in the first quarter, Morris committed what was deemed to be a flagrant foul on Houston rookie Jae’Sean Tate, and Cousins responded by pushing him away. From there, Morris charged at Cousins and gave him a hard shove. Morris then followed the big man down the court and argued in a threatening manner before they were finally separated.
After an extended review, the officials — led by crew chief Rodney Mott — decided on a Flagrant 1 foul for what Morris did to Tate; double technicals on Morris and Cousins; and an ejection for Morris.
“I thought he was sticking up for his teammate,” Silas said postgame of Cousins’ involvement. “I support him 100 percent, he was sticking up for Jae’Sean, and he wasn’t going to allow anything to happen to his rookie. I think that’s admirable. … Him sticking up for his teammate shows a lot about who DeMarcus Cousins is.”
Rockets coach Stephen Silas: "He wasn’t going to allow anything to happen to his rookie, and I think that’s admirable. … Him sticking up for his teammate shows a lot of who DeMarcus Cousins is." https://t.co/h7o20Aa6c9
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) January 11, 2021
Several minutes later, Cousins also ended up ejected due to a separate incident involving a flagrant foul on LeBron James.
Los Angeles ultimately won the game, 120-102 (box score). There will be a rematch on Tuesday, also at Toyota Center, which will offer Morris and Cousins an immediate chance to get reacquainted.
DeMarcus Cousins has been EJECTED on this flagrant foul on LeBron.
Thoughts? pic.twitter.com/JjYol8WsTy
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) January 11, 2021
Markieff Morris and DeMarcus Cousins get into it. 🍿🍿pic.twitter.com/UwJDKunBbh
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 11, 2021
