NBA

DeMarcus Cousins was suspended indefinitely by Sacramento for ‘‘unprofessional behavior and conduct detrimental to the team.’’ Cousins and Kings coach Keith Smart exchanged words in the locker room during halftime of Sacramento’s 97-85 loss at the Clippers on Friday night. Smart benched Cousins for the second half and ordered him to remain in the locker room. Said Smart after Friday’s loss: ‘‘We’re trying to set a standard here, and when guys move below that standard, things are going to take place. We’ll just move on to the next game and I’ll make some decisions from there.’’ Cousins, drafted fifth overall in 2010, took responsibility for Friday’s incident after the game. Cousins, 22, also was suspended one game without pay by the NBA for striking O.J. Mayo in the groin during a loss at Dallas on Dec. 10. Following a loss at San Antonio on Nov. 9, the league suspended Cousins two games without pay for confronting Spurs announcer Sean Elliott in a ‘‘hostile manner.’’