Hawks' Dennis Schröder suspended one game for hitting DeMarcus Cousins in groin

Dennis Schröder will sit out tonight as the Hawks take on the Nuggets. (Rich Pedroncelli/AP)

Hawks rookie guard Dennis Schröder was suspended one game for hitting Kings center DeMarcus Cousins in the groin during Atlanta's 105-100 win over Sacramento on Tuesday, the NBA announced Thursday.

Cousins called the blow a "cheap shot" but sounded more upset with the referees' negligence on the no-call than the actual blow itself.

CowBellKingdom.com reported Cousins' post-game version of events:

“I took a cheap shot to my lower area,” Cousins told reporters from his locker after the game. “They (the refs) just blew it off. I guess because it was me. But as soon as something happens on the other end, because it’s me, they run to the camera.”

The play took place in the fourth quarter when Cousins set a high screen for teammate Isaiah Thomas. Schröder attempted to fight through over the top, but contacted Cousins' chest with his right hand while slipping his left hand between Cousins' legs. Cousins immediately doubled over and appeared to seek the referees' attention.

Soon after, Cousins was assessed a flagrant foul for shoving Al Horford to the floor as the two stood in the paint, although it appeared the Hawks' center enhanced the degree of contact by letting his body go and spinning himself to the ground. The flagrant foul was later (correctly) downgraded to a personal foul. Kings coach Michael Malone pulled Cousins from the game with six minutes left and he did not return.