The NBA has handed Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder a three-game suspension without pay after a highly unusual post-game altercation stemming from the team’s 125–101 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on December 28 at Crypto.com Arena.
Dennis Schroder Suspended For Incident With Luka Doncic
The league’s disciplinary action comes as the veteran guard reportedly confronted and attempted to strike Lakers star Luka Doncic about 40 minutes after the final buzzer, an incident league officials say violated NBA conduct rules.
According to ESPN and other reporting, the confrontation did not occur during the game’s closing moments but rather well after, in an arena hallway after most players and staff had dispersed. The NBA ruled Schroder sought out Doncic, initiated a confrontation and made a physical move, resulting in the suspension that will sideline Schröder for his team’s upcoming games against the Houston Rockets, Lakers, and New York Knicks.
The tension between Schroder and Doncic appears to have been brewing throughout the contest. Video clips from the matchup circulating online showed the Slovenian superstar taunting Schroder during the game, including a moment in which Doncic seemingly referenced the $84-million contract extension Schroder declined from the Lakers in 2021, saying, “You should’ve signed that contract, baby.”
“Shoulda signed that contract, baby”
You’d swing on Luka if he reminded you of how you lost out on $84 million, toopic.twitter.com/89gZf7ugmf
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 11, 2026
Schroder, known for his fiery competitiveness and intensity, has long been sensitive about that contract decision, which saw him turn down a four-year, multi-million-dollar extension and instead sign a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics before rejoining the Lakers later. That choice is widely regarded as a major missed financial opportunity in his career.
Following the game and subsequent suspension announcement, Schroder took to social media to react to reports, even joking in response to Shams Charania’s description that he “attempted” to strike Doncic. He replied with a laughing emoji to downplay the league’s wording.
Lakers center Deandre Ayton reportedly had to pull Schroder away during the hallway confrontation, while security eventually separated the two and shepherded players to safety. Doncic left the arena with his father, Sasa Doncic, without incident.
The suspension deals another blow to a struggling Kings team, currently sitting near the bottom of the league standings, raising questions about Schroder’s temperament and disciplinary history.
