NBA Suspends Dennis Schroder for Altercation with Luka Doncic
Following the Los Angeles Lakers' 101-105 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, the NBA suspended Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder for his altercation with Dallas Mavericks star Luka Doncic. The incident occurred a few weeks ago near the locker rooms in the back of the arena. According to reports, Schroder reportedly called Doncic a “b***h” and attempted to strike him during the confrontation.
Before the Lakers face off against the Kings on Monday night, head coach JJ Redick addressed the media during a post-practice scrum. When asked about the incident, Redick stated, “It’s a league matter. So I don’t really have a comment on it.” He later added, “There are very few things I’m not aware of,” when questioned about whether he had prior knowledge of the situation before the league made its decision.
Schroder has been suspended for three games, including the matchup between the two teams that sparked the incident. The suspension appears to be a strategic move by the league to prevent further conflict and de-escalate tensions.
According to ESPN NBA Insider Bobby Marks, the league is expected to impose a six-digit fine on Schroder. The exact amount is $291,807, which is nearly 2% of his salary for this season ($14,104,000). This penalty reflects the severity of the incident and the league's commitment to maintaining decorum within the sport.
Schroder also took to social media after the suspension was announced. He responded to a post from Shams Charania on Instagram, emphasizing the word “attempting” as if suggesting he either landed the blow or did not attempt to hit Doncic at all. However, leaked audio from the incident suggests that Schroder made threats toward Doncic during the game, and the Slovenian star brushed them off as if they were not serious. It is possible that Schroder swung at Doncic and actually landed a blow, which may have led to the suspension.
Rui Hachimura’s Return and Impact
In addition to the suspension, JJ Redick provided an update on Rui Hachimura, who is recovering from a right-calf strain. Redick confirmed that Hachimura was able to perform all activities during practice and is trending toward being available to play in the upcoming game against the Kings on Monday night. However, he will likely come off the bench, similar to how Austin Reaves returned from injury.
Hachimura also shared his thoughts on his return. When asked if being an unrestricted free agent next season influenced his decision to return sooner than expected, he gave a strong response: “At the end of the day… I’m trying to help this team win. That’s the whole purpose of being here. I’ve been here four seasons, I think I’m one of the guys that’s been here the longest, too.”
Lakers’ Chances Against the Kings
The Lakers (23-13) are currently at risk of a three-game losing streak in their upcoming game against the Kings (8-30) on Monday. However, the opposition is without their star point guard, and the Lakers are regaining some depth with Hachimura’s potential return. These factors could give the Lakers a significant advantage in the matchup.
As the team prepares for the game, the focus remains on managing internal conflicts and ensuring that players like Hachimura can contribute effectively. With the right strategy and player availability, the Lakers have a chance to turn their season around and secure a much-needed win.
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