The NBA has announced a three-game suspension for Kings guard Dennis Schröder for “confronting and attempting to strike another player.”
The incident, which involved Lakers star Luka Doncic, occurred 40 minutes after their December 28 game, according to the league, as Schröder “sought out” Doncic in an arena hallway and “initiated the confrontation.”
Schröder’s suspension will begin with Sunday’s game against Houston. He will also miss Monday’s rematch with the Lakers and Wednesday’s meeting with New York. He will be docked three games’ worth of salary amounting to $291,807, according to ESPN’s Bobby Marks (Twitter link).
Tensions between Schröder and Doncic began with an exchange of words early in the game (YouTube link) and continued throughout the night. Doncic’s comments to Schröder included, “You should’ve signed that contract, baby” (TikTok link), a reference to a reported four-year, $84MM extension offer that Schröder turned down when he was with the Lakers in 2021.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Lakers center Deandre Ayton attempted to pull Schröder away from Doncic as security intervened.
The rivalry between the two guards began in Europe and dates back several years, according to Marca. It picked up intensity last fall when Schröder’s German team defeated Doncic’s Slovenia in the EuroBasket quarterfinals. The website states that Schröder has expressed respect for Doncic in the past and suggests that the latest incident may stem from the frustrations of playing for a losing team in Sacramento.
Schröder has been mentioned as a potential trade candidate if the Kings try to unload some of their veterans ahead of the February 5 deadline.
Wuh?
I’ll admit I was expecting some pretty good things from him after his performance in Eurobasket. But you can’t just go after guys in the hallways my guy. I will also say, its kinda weird that the ruling comes nearly 2 weeks after the fact lol.
Did Doncic do a drop the bag skit on him !
This feels very Tommy Pham Joc Peterson -e
Wasn’t the Pham/Pederson fight over Pederson being too much of a savage to Pham in their fantasy football group chat?
Yes
I had dreamed on a Schroeder/Luka backcourt going into the 2018 draft. Luka/Kev Huerter/John Collins/Taurean Prince/Schroeder woulda been a nice young core to build on. We ended up flipping Taurean into Clint Capela & that core woulda been even nicer. Missed opportunites smh.
Sliding floors.
The Gremlin going after Luka in the hallway brings me back to 90’s NBA.
I mean, he should’ve signed that contract.
3 games for an attempt…but Alvarado actually hit a guy and got 2games. Is it because it happen to their precious Luka?
That part right there
You know ball!!!
Pretty sure it was because it wasn’t in the heat of battle. It was 40 minutes after the game ended and he went prowling the locker room. What happens in a game can be excused by emotion, but players fighting off the court and in the locker room should be nipped in the bud. This isn’t rocket science.
They didn’t fight, they argued. No fist or shoves happened, instead of Dennis saying something online he went to his face. We know these guys are not fighters. When Clippers and Rockets had the famous confrontation in 2018 in hall and locker that had no fight. It involved multiple players and 2 were suspended for only 2 games.
Why didn’t Luka get suspended, can’t say because he was a “Victim” they suspended Mark Williams a game and he got hit. Chocking in game emotions is weak because if results of the hit actually has a broken noise, orbital, or eye problem would that not impact the suspension?
So no altercation happened AND it wasn’t on the broadcast? Seems fair that he got a harsher punishment than punches being thrown on live tv…
Everyone who said Schroder turning down 4/84 was overblown and hearsay and “debunked” – you were wrong.
Man, whatever will the Kings do now? Serious blow to their playoff chances…
Schroder team in Europe owns Luka teams. So Luka has to talk trash.
TWolves can use Schroder. He should push for a trade there. TWolves can sweep the Lakers then. That would be fun. To see them go at it there.
Luka prob deserved to be hit.
Pretty sure everyone agrees he should have signed that contract!