Los Angeles, CA — Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schröder was suspended three games over the weekend for an off-court incident that followed the Kings’ 118-112 win against the Los Angeles Lakers on December 28 at Crypto.com Arena. New social-media activity from the veteran guard now suggests he may have made contact with Lakers star Luka Dončić during that confrontation.
According to league reports, Schröder and Dončić exchanged heated words late in the fourth quarter. Cameras caught Dončić appearing to invite Schröder to swing at him, while Schröder replied that he would “see him in the back.” Roughly 40 minutes after the final buzzer, the Kings guard allegedly approached Dončić in the arena hallway and attempted to strike him, leading to the NBA’s three-game ban.
Schröder had not commented publicly until Friday, when he responded on Instagram to a post about his suspension. His caption, accompanied by suggestive emojis, implied he did more than attempt a punch. The post quickly circulated on social platform X via Legion Hoops, fueling speculation that the swing connected. No visible injuries have been observed on Dončić in games since the altercation.
Long-Running Tension
Dončić, widely regarded as one of the league’s most vocal competitors, and Schröder, known for his on-court gamesmanship, have history. Dončić reportedly referenced Schröder’s decision to decline a Lakers contract extension in 2021 during their December exchange. The two also met at last summer’s EuroBasket tournament, where Schröder’s Germany eliminated Dončić’s Slovenia.
Looking Ahead
The suspension sidelines Schröder for Monday’s meeting between the Kings and Lakers in Sacramento. Their final regular-season matchup is scheduled for March 1, a date now drawing added attention.
Head coach JJ Redick and the Lakers must navigate a demanding stretch of five games in seven days, followed by an eight-game road trip, leaving little time for Dončić to dwell on the incident.
Source: Lakers Nation
