The Sacramento Kings, despite a challenging season, are showing they're not backing down! The upcoming rematch against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 12, 2026, promises fireworks. But here's where it gets interesting: the Kings will be without veteran guard Dennis Schroder, who's serving a suspension following an incident in their previous encounter on December 28th.
Schroder's suspension, a three-game penalty without pay, stems from an attempt to strike a player after the game, according to the NBA. While the league didn't officially name the Lakers player involved, reports suggest it was star guard Luka Doncic. The confrontation reportedly occurred about 40 minutes after the Lakers defeated the Kings 125-101. During the game, Doncic had an impressive 34 points and seven assists, leading to some heated exchanges with Schroder.
Lakers coach JJ Redick kept his comments brief, stating it was a league matter. Sacramento coach Doug Christie described the situation as unfortunate but acknowledged the league's ruling. He praised Schroder's intensity and fight, emphasizing his commitment to the team.
In the December 28th game, Schroder contributed 11 points and seven assists in 19 minutes off the bench. That game marked the Lakers' second consecutive win over the Kings and their sixth straight overall. Sacramento forward Precious Achiuwa acknowledged the Lakers' dominance, saying, "We owe them a lot."
Without Schroder, the Kings managed to snap a seven-game losing streak with a victory over the Houston Rockets. DeMar DeRozan scored 22 points, becoming the 23rd player in NBA history to surpass 26,000 career points, with his total reaching 26,018. DeRozan highlighted the team's struggles with injuries and suspensions, expressing relief at securing the win.
Malik Monk, whose playing time had been reduced, saw an increase in minutes due to Schroder's absence, playing 26 minutes and scoring 15 points. Coach Christie commended Monk's performance, praising his adherence to the team's standards.
The Lakers, on the other hand, have faced recent setbacks, losing back-to-back games and six of their last ten. Their latest loss was a 105-101 defeat against the Milwaukee Bucks. Luka Doncic, who had scored 30 or more points in six consecutive games, was held to 24 points on 8-of-25 shooting against the Bucks. Despite this, he maintains a league-leading average of 33.3 points per game.
LeBron James had a strong performance, scoring 26 points, providing 10 assists, grabbing nine rebounds, and making three steals. James is averaging 28.3 points, 8.5 assists, and 8.3 rebounds this month. The Lakers will welcome back forward Rui Hachimura, who has recovered from a right calf strain and will come off the bench. Hachimura expressed his eagerness to contribute to the team's success.
Controversy Alert: Do you think Schroder's suspension was justified? And what are your predictions for the upcoming Lakers vs. Kings game? Share your thoughts in the comments below! What are your expectations for Doncic and James in this game?
