Kings coach Doug Christie stood by his player when asked about Dennis Schroder’s beef with Luka Doncic before Monday’s 124-112 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento.
Schroder was suspended for three games without pay for confronting and attempting to strike Doncic in a Crypto.com Arena hallway following Sacramento’s 125-101 loss to the Lakers on Dec. 28 in Los Angeles.
During his pregame press conference, Christie was asked if the Kings would play with more of an edge when they faced the Lakers Monday, two days after the NBA suspended Schroder.
“We’re going to play with an edge as long as I’m sitting here, so that’s just what it is,” Christie said. “It doesn’t have anything to do with anything, but Dennis is with us, period. He’s one of us. If one go, we all go. That’s how it is.”
Schroder missed Sunday’s win over the Rockets and Monday’s win over the Lakers. He will serve the final game of his suspension when the Kings play host to the New York Knicks on Wednesday.
Schroder came to Sacramento over the summer in a sign-and-trade deal with the Detroit Pistons. He was expected to be the team’s starting point guard after signing a three-year, $44.4 million contract, but he has been more effective as a backup behind Russell Westbrook.
Schroder, 32, is averaging 13.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 5.7 assists while shooting 41.3% from the field and 34.4% from 3-point range.
“Dennis is a big piece,” Christie said. “He has found a way in the second unit that has stabilized a lot. He’s showed scoring and the intensity that he brings. Obviously, (the suspension is) unfortunate, but the league has ruled.”
The NBA said Schroder was involved in an altercation with another player about 40 minutes after the Kings lost to the Lakers on Dec. 28. According to an NBA press release, that’s when Schroder “sought out the player in an arena hallway and initiated the confrontation.”
According to multiple reports, Doncic was the player Schroder confronted.
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.
Christie, who often stresses the importance of physicality and toughness, was asked where the line should be drawn.
“That’s a good question,” Christie said. “It’s fair. It’s a hard question, though, because how far are you willing to go? That’s really the question. How far are you willing to go? And Dennis is willing to go the distance.
“It’s a fair question, but the level of physicality, it’s not about playing dirty or anything like that. But then there’s the opposite end to that spectrum, which is who you’re playing with and what they’re doing. I’ve been in there, and sometimes you’ve got to defend yourself, but, yeah, Dennis rides with us, period.”