Miami reserve forward James Johnson has successfully fought in mixed-martial arts matches in the past, but he didn’t intend to make DeMarcus Cousins his next victim on a hard drive to the basket Wednesday. Johnson’s kick to Cousins’ ribs – which was ruled a technical foul against Johnson due to the contact – had a ripple effect into Friday, because the three-time All-Star will not play tonight against Houston. He was ruled out prior to tip-off, due to left knee soreness and a right rib contusion.
“Obviously the hit he took in the (Miami) game has something to do with it,” Pelicans second-year head coach Alvin Gentry said of the Johnson/Cousins collision.