Dennis Schröder suspended three games after attempting to strike Luka Doncic
The NBA officially announced Saturday the suspension of Dennis Schröder for the next three games of the Sacramento Kings. The German point guard was sanctioned for « confronting and attempting to strike another player » after his team’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers (125-101) on December 28.
According to Chris Haynes, the player targeted by Schröder was none other than Luka Doncic, who had 34 points and 7 assists in that game. The incident occurred in the corridors of Crypto.com Arena, approximately forty minutes after the game ended, when the German « sought out » and « initiated the confrontation » with the Slovenian.
Luka Doncic after exchanging words with Dennis Schroder
« I’m not fu*king with you » pic.twitter.com/gfkjysSdSW
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) October 19, 2025
A rivalry born from tense exchanges during the game
Tensions between the two players had started on the court, where they « heated up several times » according to ESPN. Doncic had notably told Schröder that he « should have signed that contract, » referring to the $82 million four-year offer the Lakers had proposed to him in 2021.
After the game, Schröder spotted Doncic near the locker rooms and explained to him that he couldn’t insult him on the court and « act like nothing happened off it. » The intervention of Deandre Ayton and then security was necessary to avoid a physical confrontation. Schröder was eventually escorted to the Kings’ bus, while Doncic returned to his car accompanied by his father.
This suspension will cost the German $291,807 according to Bobby Marks of ESPN. He will miss games against the Houston Rockets, the Lakers (ironically) and the New York Knicks, before being able to return to the court Friday against the Washington Wizards.
Schröder, who is averaging 13 points, 5.7 assists and 3.3 rebounds this season, will not be able to play in the rematch against the Lakers this Monday. The two teams will meet one last time on March 1 in Los Angeles, which could reignite this budding rivalry between the two point guards.
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