Buddy Hield made the first ejection of his NBA career count as the Pelicans rookie was tossed for hitting Kings star DeMarcus Cousins in the groin.

Hield was given a flagrant-two foul for his action, which automatically triggers an ejection.

The incident took place in the second quarter while Hield was fighting around a screen, and came after Cousins received a technical foul of his own.

Cousins picked up his league-leading 17th technical foul for hitting Pelicans big man Donatas Motiejunas in the face while fighting for a rebound in the first quarter.

Cousins has already been suspended once for reaching the 16-technical foul plateau. His 18th technical foul will trigger another automatic suspension.

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