Former Detroit Pistons guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended three games without pay after confronting and attempting to strike another NBA player, per a league release.
The incident took place on Dec. 28, following Schroder and the Sacramento Kings’ 125-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
Following the defeat, Schroder allegedly sought out Lakers guard Luka Doncic 40 minutes after the buzzer and attempted to strike him.
Video from the game showed Doncic taunting Schroder during a timeout, telling him he “should’ve signed that contract” in a reference to Schroder allegedly rejecting a 4-year, $82 million extension with the Lakers in 2021.
He wound up signing a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics.
ESPN reports after the two jawed at each other at various points in the game, it seemed as though things were cooling off. But Schroder later left the visitors locker room, saw Doncic in the tunnels and tempers flared again.
Schroder allegedly told Doncic “that he can’t call him a (expletive) on the court and pretend everything is fine off the court.”
The NBA determined he tried to strike Doncic and Lakers center attempted to intervene and drag Schroder away as Doncic tried to exit. Schroder would be escorted to the team bus.
The suspension will cost Schroder $291,807 of his pay and see him miss matchups against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, the New York Knicks on Wednesday, and conveniently a game with the Lakers on Monday. All three games are set for Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, home of the last-place Kings.
On an Instagram post from ESPN’s Shams Charania about the suspension for “attempting to strike another player,” Schroder commented “attempting.”
Schroder’s time in Detroit was short-lived but incredibly impactful. He was acquired by the Pistons at last season’s trade deadline as part of a five-team trade that landed Jimmy Butler with the Golden State Warriors.
The veteran guard immediately had a large role for the Pistons in their run to the postseason, having lost Jaden Ivey in January to a season-ending leg injury. In 28 regular season games, he averaged 10.8 points, 5.3 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.
Over six playoff games, Schroder posted 12.5 point, 3.7 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 49% from the field and 48% from beyond the arc. In Detroit’s Game 2 victory, Schroder scored 20 points in the franchise’s first postseason win since 2008.
The Pistons moved Schroder to the Kings in a sign-and-trade deal over the offseason that opened up a trade exception Detroit has yet to use.
In a 13-year career, Schroder has played for 10 different teams since being drafted 17th overall in 2013 by the Atlanta Hawks.