DeMarcus Cousins apologizes for spat with Westphal

"It was a good lesson for me," the rookie said. "I'm mad and I'm frustrated about losing, and in my opinion, I think different strategies should be in the game.

"But I was being selfish. I'm a big part of this team, and coach (Paul) Westphal has been saying it. I've been terrible. It's the truth."

As for those recent emotional flare-ups and what some teammates describe as a tense relationship with his coach, neither of the involved parties is offering up details. (Sources say Cousins wisecracked Westphal after the coach had scolded him for his fouls and turnovers, among other things.)