NBA suspends Kings’ Dennis Schroder for reported attempt to strike Luka Doncic
The NBA has suspended Kings guard Dennis Schroder for confronting and attempting to strike another player following Sacramento’s recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Sources told NBA insider Chris Haynes and The Athletic’s Dan Woike that Lakers star Luka Doncic was the player Schroder confronted.
The NBA announced Schroder has been suspended for three games without pay. He will begin serving his suspension when the Kings play host to the Houston Rockets on Sunday at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
The league said the incident occurred about 40 minutes after the Kings’ 125-101 loss to the Lakers on Dec. 28 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. According to an NBA press release, that’s when Schroder “sought out the player in an arena hallway and initiated the confrontation.”
Schroder and Doncic exchanged words a number of times during the game. Videos surfaced on social media showing Doncic taunting Schroder for turning down a four-year, $84 million contract with the Lakers in 2021. Schroder was banking on bigger offers on the free agent market, but the decision ultimately cost him millions of dollars.
The Kings acquired Schroder over the summer in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons. He is earning $14.1 million this season in the first year of a three-year, $44.4 million contract.
Schroder was expected to serve as Sacramento’s starting point guard, but he has since moved into a backup role. He is averaging 13.0 points and 5.7 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point range.
This story was originally published January 10, 2026 at 7:00 PM.
