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Sacramento Kings C DeMarcus Cousins, F Matt Barnes sued over New York incident

By The Sports Xchange
DeMarcus Cousins of the United States dunks the basketball in the second half against Serbia in the Men's Basketball gold medal game between Serbia and the United States at Carioca Arena 1 at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 21, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
DeMarcus Cousins of the United States dunks the basketball in the second half against Serbia in the Men's Basketball gold medal game between Serbia and the United States at Carioca Arena 1 at the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August 21, 2016. Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and forward Matt Barnes are being sued following an alleged assault at a New York club on Monday morning, ESPN reports.

Jasmine Besiso and Myrone Powell alleged that Barnes choked Besiso and Cousins punched Powell in the face after Powell came to the aid of Besiso around 3 a.m. at Avenue nightclub in Manhattan.

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Barnes allegedly elbowed Besiso in the face and knocked her unconscious. Cousins and Barnes then allegedly forced Powell to the ground and punched him repeatedly.

The New York City Police Department is seeking to speak to Barnes about the incident, but criminal charges weren't filed.

A representative for Barnes told TNT that he was "defending himself against a violent group," via ESPN.com.

"We do not believe a crime was committed and are hopeful no charges will be pressed," Alex Spiro, who is representing Cousins and Barnes, told ESPN on Monday.

Besiso and Powell filed the lawsuit at New York District Court on Wednesday and have requested a jury trial.

Cousins and Barnes were in town with the Kings for a game against the New York Knicks on Sunday night. Cousins totaled 36 points and 12 rebounds and Barnes scored two points on 1-of-11 shooting in the Kings' 106-98 defeat.

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The Kings and Knicks square off again Friday night in Sacramento.

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