Kings' Cousins handed 1-game suspension

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins has been suspended one game by the NBA for striking Dallas guard O.J. Mayo in the groin during Monday's game against the Mavericks, the league announced on Wednesday.

The incident occurred with 3:35 remaining in the second quarter of Sacramento's 119-96 loss to the Mavericks. Both players were assessed technical fouls for the confrontation, though neither was ejected.

Cousins, who leads the Kings with averages of 17.2 points and 9.9 rebounds per game, will sit out Wednesday's game at Milwaukee.

This is the second time this season that Cousins has faced league discipline. The 2010 first-round pick was given a 2-game suspension after an altercation with San Antonio Spurs announcer Sean Elliott following a game on Nov. 9.