DeMarcus Cousins suspended one game for striking Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo

A war of words between Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Dallas Mavericks guard O.J. Mayo reached a new low today. The NBA issued a one-game suspension to Cousins for striking Mayo "in the groin area" during the Kings' 23-point loss to the Mavs on Monday night, according to a tweet Wednesday evening from Ian Begley of ESPN.

Cousins, who admitted earlier this month that he's been "terrible" this season and doesn't have "any confidence," had been exchanging words with Mayo through the media throughout this week. Mayo had said that Cousins has "mental issues," is "immature" and questioned his ability to become a franchise player for Sacramento. Cousins responded, saying to The Sacramento Bee that Mayo doesn't have a great reputation and shouldn't be making comments about being a franchise player since he isn't one with the Mavericks and wasn't one with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Cousins also said he didn't hit Mayo on purpose:

"In slow motion, it looks like I did it on purpose. But you look in real speed, you see what happened. Of course it's gonna get thrown out there that I did it on purpose."

The suspension will take effect for tonight's game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Footage of the play that resulted in Cousins' suspension can be seen below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=LFLN9EBlCDQ