New Details Reveal Why Dennis Schroder Was Really Upset With Luka Doncic Before Heated Confrontation

New details show Dennis Schroder’s anger stemmed from on-court trash talk with Luka Doncic, which later carried into a postgame hallway confrontation after the Kings’ loss.

The NBA season is full of emotions, but some moments spill beyond the court. That is what happened after the Sacramento Kings faced the Los Angeles Lakers late last month. What initially appeared to be simple trash talk during the game later escalated into a serious issue that followed Dennis Schroder into the hallway.

That tension became public when the NBA suspended Dennis Schroder for three games. The league said Schroder confronted and attempted to strike Luka Doncic after the Kings’ December 28 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, as reported by ESPN’s Shams Charania.

New details later explained why Schroder was so upset. Reports showed the tension grew during the game when players exchanged harsh words. Dennis Schroder approached Doncic and said, “he can’t call him a bi*ch on the court and pretend like everything is fine off the court.” The comment came roughly 40 minutes after the game, when Schroder sought out Doncic in the arena hallway.


The NBA stated that the confrontation occurred at Crypto.com Arena and required others to intervene. ESPN’s Anthony Slater reported that the two guards had been chirping all night, including a moment when Doncic referenced a four-year, $82 million contract Dennis Schroder once declined from the Lakers.

Kings’ Dennis Schroder Suspended for Three Games for Going After Luka Doncic

The confrontation in the tunnel was so intense that even Deandre Ayton had to step in to separate Dennis Schroder and Luka Doncic after the game.Dennis Schroder and Luka Doncic (Photo By Imagn Images)

NBA insider Chris Haynes confirmed that Luka Doncic was involved. Lakers center Deandre Ayton reportedly stepped in to pull Schroder away before the situation escalated further.

Schroder later reacted on social media by laughing at the word “attempting” in the suspension notice. He’ll be absent for three games, the first of which will be the one against the Houston Rockets, and is expected to return on January 16.

This incident caused Dennis Schroder to lose games and money, and drew attention to the fact that the rapid transition from speech to punishment can occur.