Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been handed a three-game suspension without pay for confronting and attempting to strike Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic in an arena hallway after their December 28 game. The incident followed the Lakers' 125-101 victory at Crypto.com Arena, stemming from on-court verbal exchanges. Schroder will miss upcoming games against the Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, and Lakers.
The NBA announced the suspension on January 11, stating that the confrontation occurred approximately 40 minutes after the Kings' loss to the Lakers on December 28 at Crypto.com Arena. According to the league, Schroder sought out Doncic in the hallway and initiated the altercation, leading to the attempt to strike. Reports from NBA insider Chris Haynes confirmed Doncic as the targeted player.
During the game, videos captured verbal barbs between the two. Doncic appeared to taunt Schroder, saying, "You should have signed that contract, bro," referencing Schroder's 2021 decision to decline a four-year, $84 million extension with the Lakers in favor of a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics. Schroder responded on court with, "I'm gonna beat the s--- out of you."
Post-announcement, Schroder reacted sarcastically to ESPN's Shams Charania's Instagram post about the suspension, commenting "Attempting👀🤣." Lakers center Deandre Ayton reportedly intervened, pulling Schroder away to de-escalate the situation. ESPN's Anthony Slater noted Schroder telling Doncic he could not use expletives on the court and then act friendly off it.
The suspension, which costs Schroder $291,807 in salary, begins with the Kings' home game against the Houston Rockets on January 12, followed by matchups against the New York Knicks and a rematch with the Lakers on January 13. Schroder, averaging 13 points and 5.7 assists off the bench this season, had 11 points, two rebounds, and seven assists in the loss, while Doncic tallied 34 points, five rebounds, and seven assists.
The Kings, sitting at 8-30 and last in the Western Conference, have lost their last six games, exacerbating their struggles without Schroder. The fifth-place Lakers, at 23-13, continue their push forward.
