An NBA star has been suspended following a fiery exchange with Luka Doncic 40 minutes after a game.
Plus Joe Ingles was at his cheeky best in a game he posted season-highs.
The NBA confirmed on Sunday (all times AEDT) that Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended three matches for an off-court altercation with Lakers superstar Doncic.
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Schroder will miss three games without pay for “confronting and attempting to strike another player” in an incident that occurred after Sacramento’s loss to the Lakers on December 28.
While the NBA’s statement didn’t name the other player involved, senior NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed on X that Doncic was the player Schroder initiated a confrontation with.
The incident occurred in the hallway of the Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers’ home court.
Schroder and Doncic have had a running rivalry for some time, with the two often engaged in heated moments in-game including their late December clash.
Doncic and Schroder were seen sledging each other for much of the contest. However, the Kings guard took things a step further off the court, seeking out Doncic nearly 40 minutes after Sacramento’s 125-101 to LA.
Schroder’s suspension begins when the Kings face off against the Houston Rockets on Monday.
In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and passed off eight assists on Sunday to spark the Cavaliers over Minnesota 146-134.
But we got extended Ingles minutes, if only six, as the Aussie veteran posted season highs across the board.
Ingles put up a season-best five points, an equal-season high three assists and hit his first 3-pointer of the season.
After nailing the corner triple in the second term, Ingles in typical Ingles style turned to the Cavaliers bench and pointed at someone in a cheeky taunt.
The 38-year old has now touched the court in three of Minnesota’s last four games including the veteran checking into Sunday’s game ahead of former No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham.
Ingles, who’s played in 11 of a possible 39 games this season, embraced with former Jazz teammate Mitchell post-match after the Cavs star’s glittering performance.
Two nights after losing at Minnesota, the Cavs also had 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting from Evan Mobley and 23 points off the bench from Jaylon Tyson to rally past the Timberwolves.
“They got up 12 and we responded, did what we had to do and got the win,” Mitchell said, noting the improvements from Friday’s loss.
“We made adjustments,” he said. “We locked in, dialed in and did a good job. We kept our foot on the gas, they made some runs and we continued like always.”
Darius Garland added 22 points for Cleveland while Sam Merrill contributed 20 points, hitting 5-of-6 three-point shots, and Jarrett Allen had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 25 points while Julius Randle had 22 and reserve Naz Reid contributed 23, hitting 5-of-6 three-point attempts.
The Cavaliers improved to 22-18, sixth in the Eastern Conference, while the T-Wolves slid to 25-14, fourth in the Western Conference.
ALL RESULTS
Timberwolves 134 Cavaliers 146
Heat 99 Pacers 123
Clippers 98 Pistons 92
Spurs 100 Celtics 95
Mavericks 107 Bulls 125
Hornets – Jazz