Official Account: The “Attempted” Strike
According to multiple authoritative reports from outlets like ESPN, The Athletic, and NBC Sports, the NBA’s official position is that Schroder attempted to strike Doncic.
- What Happened: Roughly 40 minutes after the Lakers’ 125-101 victory, Schroder sought out Doncic in the Crypto.com Arena tunnel. He confronted Doncic, stating he couldn’t call him a derogatory name on the court and pretend everything was fine afterward. Lakers center Deandre Ayton intervened, pulling Schroder away from a “stunned” Doncic as security stepped in.
- The Trigger: The confrontation followed a game filled with trash talk. Video from the game captured Doncic taunting Schroder about declining a lucrative contract extension with the Lakers years prior, saying, “Should’ve signed that contract, baby”.
- The Suspension: The NBA suspended Schroder for three games without pay, which cost him approximately $291,807 in salary. The suspension caused him to miss the Kings’ next game against the Lakers.
Speculation & Response: Did He Actually Hit Him?
Schroder’s response and commentary from former players have directly challenged the league’s “attempted” description.
- Schroder’s Mocking Reply: When ESPN’s Shams Charania posted about the suspension for “attempting to strike” Doncic, Schroder commented on the post with a single, telling word: “Attempting👀🤣”. This sarcastic comment has been widely interpreted as him insinuating he did, in fact, make contact.
- Claims from Former NBA Players: Several ex-players have publicly stated they believe contact was made:
- Markieff Morris, a former teammate of Doncic’s, claimed on his podcast that an eyewitness told him Schroder “put his hands on him” and “touched him up a little bit.” He added that the two have a long-simmering personal history dating back to their time in European basketball.
- On the show “Run it Back,” Lou Williams stated, “You don’t get suspended three games for an attempt,” and Chandler Parsons said, “There was contact. There was a slap or a punch or something”.
- The Missing Video: A key element fueling speculation is the absence of any leaked security footage from the tunnel. Fans and commentators continue to call for its release to settle the matter definitively.
Here is a quick summary of the key perspectives:
| Perspective | Claim About Contact | Key Source / Action |
|---|---|---|
| NBA Official Ruling | Attempted to strike | League suspension announcement |
| Dennis Schroder | Implied contact was made | “Attempting” comment on Instagram |
| Former Players (Morris, Williams, Parsons) | Believe contact occurred (slap/punch) | Comments on podcasts and TV shows |
What Happens Next?
Schroder has already begun serving his three-game suspension. The suspension’s end will depend on the exact start date. The two players are scheduled to meet on the court again on March 1, 2026, when the Kings play the Lakers at Crypto.com Arena.
I hope this detailed breakdown clarifies the situation. For the most official updates, you can watch for any statements from the NBA, the Kings, or the Lakers.