The National Basketball Association has handed down a significant punishment to Sacramento Kings player Dennis Schroder following an off-court altercation last month. The league confirmed a three-game suspension without pay for the veteran guard after he confronted and attempted to strike Dallas Mavericks superstar Luka Doncic.
The Incident and Official NBA Ruling
The confrontation occurred in the aftermath of a game between the Kings and the LA Lakers on December 28, 2023. Despite the final buzzer sounding on a 125-101 loss for Sacramento at Crypto.com Arena, tensions reportedly spilled over into the arena's corridors. According to the NBA's statement released on Saturday, the incident took place approximately 40 minutes after the game concluded.
While the league's official announcement did not name the other player involved, senior NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that Schroder sought out Doncic 'in a hallway'. The NBA cited 'confronting and attempting to strike another player' as the reason for the disciplinary action.
Timeline and Consequences of the Ban
Schroder's suspension commences immediately, causing him to miss key fixtures. He will sit out the Kings' home game against the Houston Rockets at the Golden 1 Center on Sunday. Notably, the ban also includes Sacramento's next matchup against Doncic and the LA Lakers on Monday, strategically eliminating any immediate chance for on-court retaliation between the two players.
The 32-year-old German international will be eligible to return to action on January 16, having forfeited three games' worth of salary. This suspension adds another chapter to the journeyman career of Schroder, who was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2013 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks.
A Career of Constant Movement
Schroder's professional journey has been marked by frequent team changes. In his 12-season career, he has now suited up for an astonishing 10 different franchises. His career path includes stints with:
- The Atlanta Hawks
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- LA Lakers (two separate spells)
- Boston Celtics
- Houston Rockets
- Toronto Raptors
- Brooklyn Nets
- Golden State Warriors
- Detroit Pistons
- Sacramento Kings
He arrived in Sacramento last July via a sign-and-trade deal and has participated in 842 regular-season games to date. This latest disciplinary action represents an unwelcome disruption for both the player and the Kings organisation as they navigate the competitive Western Conference.
