National Basketball Association

Kings reinstate suspended Cousins

Published Dec. 24, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The Sacramento Kings have reinstated center DeMarcus Cousins after a one-game suspension for ''unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team.''

Cousins practiced with the Kings on Monday. Cousins and Kings coach Keith Smart exchanged words in the locker room during halftime of Sacramento's loss at the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night. Smart benched Cousins for the entire second half and ordered him to remain in the locker room.

The 22-year-old Cousins has been suspended two other times by the NBA this season because of his conduct.

He was not with Sacramento during the team's 108-96 home win against Portland on Sunday night. Cousins is averaging a team-high 16.6 points and 9.5 rebounds.