The NBA suspended Dennis Schroder three games Saturday for confronting and attempting to strike Luka Doncic after the Sacramento Kings’ 125-101 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers on Dec. 28. Schroder will miss Monday’s rematch between the teams in Sacramento.
Doncic and Schroder exchanged words during various points of the game. During a timeout, Doncic taunted Schroder, telling him he “should’ve signed that contract” in reference to the four-year, $82 million extension Schroder declined from the Lakers a few years ago.
Things appeared to cool off as the game ended. But Schroder left the visitors locker room at Crypto.com Arena, spotted Doncic and tempers flared again inside the tunnel across from the home bench.
Forty minutes after the buzzer, Schroder went after Doncic, telling him he cannot call him a “b—-” on the court and pretend everything is fine off the court. The NBA concluded Schroder attempted to strike Doncic.
Deandre Ayton tried to drag Schroder away from the confrontation while a stunned Doncic attempted to exit as security intervened. Schroder was eventually escorted to the team bus as Kings coach Doug Christie and several teammates sought answers about the sudden drama.
Doncic and his father Sasa eventually walked to their nearby car and left as Schroder and his Kings teammates prepared to depart on the team bus.