Video: Cousins Ejected, Un-Ejected In Kings’ 126-121 Win Over Blazers

The Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings played a wild one Tuesday night, with their offenses on full display. DeMarcus Cousins topped 50 points and Mason Plumlee scored a career high, but Cousins got the last laugh with a tough-fought win over Portland. Late in the game, he scored an and-1 layup, only to get ejected after spitting his mouthpiece toward the Blazers’ bench. He left for the locker room. In a highly unusual moment, the referees then unejected Cousins with no explanation, and summoned him back from the locker room! He hit the free throw, blocked Lillard at the other end and the Blazers fell.

The Blazers were led by CJ McCollum, Damian Lillard, Mason Plumlee

Box Score

Recap

The story of the first half was McCollum. He torched the Kings early, and torched them often. His 23 first-half points kept the Blazers comfortably ahead for most of the half, but they just couldn’t put the Kings away early. DeMarcus Cousins led the charge, and Sacramento stayed within reach at the half.

Halftime: Portland Trail Blazers 72, Sacramento Kings 60

Second half:

Portland maintained their lead through most of the third quarter, but Arron Afflalo and Anthony Tolliver helped Sacramento keep the game in single digits. But after giving up 27, 33, and 33 points in the first three quarters, the wheels came off the Blazers’ defense in the fourth. Sacramento seized control, taking a 102-101 lead with less than ten minutes left. Cousins continued to dominate, and the Kings led by 5 with six minutes left. They made it 7 before Portland went into Comeback Mode. They took the lead three minutes later. The two teams played back and forth down the stretch, and the Kings looked ready to put away the Blazers. But Cousins missed a three, and Lillard’s dish for a Plumlee dunk tied the game. From there, the Cousins insanity sealed a win for Sacramento.

What’s Next

Finally, the Blazers can go home. They return to Portland tonight, but get no rest: The Wesley Matthews and the Dallas Mavericks are already waiting in town. They tip off tomorrow night. But stay tuned, Dan Marang will have more coverage of tonight’s game later.