Cousins has 41 and 23 in Sacramento return

SACRAMENTO — DeMarcus Cousins immediately scored after winning the opening tip and never stopped on the way to 41 points and 23 rebounds, and the emotional big man dominated his old team to rally the New Orleans Pelicans past the Kings 114-106 on Thursday night in his highly anticipated return.

Cousins took the crowd at Golden 1 Center on a trip down memory lane, then left them with some heartache after a spectacular performance. He waved to his supportive former home fans as highlights showed of his time in California’s capital.

He hit a go-ahead 3-pointer with 2:21 to play for a 108-106 lead and the Pelicans held on — and Cousins finally got some help in a second-half comeback after New Orleans trailed by 14 at intermission playing without injured star Anthony Davis.

Jameer Nelson contributed 18 points with four 3-pointers with Davis sidelined with a left knee injury sustained at Portland on Tuesday. The Pelicans were down 70-56 at halftime

with Cousins largely a one-man show already with 20 points, nine rebounds and five assists.

De’Aaron Fox scored 14 points off the bench to lead seven Kings in double figures.

Cousins received overwhelming support and love during pregame introductions with a few boos. After his initial basket, the Kings answered with a 17-2 run.

A video and highlight tribute to Cousins played on the scoreboard during a first-quarter timeout as he was formally welcomed back to the city where he played seven seasons, and the big man gave a big wave.

“BOOGIE THANK YOU, LOVE YOU, MISS YOU” read one sign held by a female fan in Golden 1 Center.

“Very talented dude,” Kings coach Dave Joerger said.

Cousins, who was fined $25,000 last week for cursing at a Grizzlies fan in Memphis, shot 14 for 25 and kept his emotions in check.

At the 9:23 mark of the first quarter, Cousins and Willie Cauley-Stein were tied up under the basket. Cousins then carried the ball out of the crowd and set it down in front of the New Orleans bench before the jump ball.