NBA Star Was Less Than a Second Away From Delivering Brutal Punch to Defenseless Player — Watch What Happens at the Last Moment

DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings came dangerously close to punching Oklahoma City Thunder center Steve Adams during Tuesday night's game in California. But he didn't.

In less than a second, a switch flipped and Cousins decided to restrain himself.

A video of the exchange leading up to the non-punch shows a fallen Adams holding onto Cousins' leg as he tries to run down the court:

Cousins left the court earlier in the game with an ankle injury, SB Nation reported. So when Adams apparently latched onto the same ankle, it had to have felt personal, even if it wasn't.

It's unclear why Cousins pulled back. The Kings center already had to be separated earlier in the game after getting into it with Thunder forward Kevin Durant. In some ways, the ankle pull probably felt like the last straw.

Whatever the reason, Adams is probably thankful Cousins didn't follow through.

(H/T: SB Nation)