An NBA star was suspended following a heated exchange with Luka Doncic 40 minutes after a match.
Additionally, Joe Ingles was at his best in a game where he posted a season-high.
The NBA confirmed on Sunday (all times AEDT) that Sacramento Kings guard Dennis Schroder has been suspended three games 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 hit another player” in an incident after Sacramento’s Dec. 28 loss to the Lakers.
Although the NBA’s statement did not name the other player involved, Chris Haynes, a senior NBA insider, revealed on X that Doncic was the player with whom Schroder initiated a confrontation.
The incident occurred in the hallway of Crypto.com Arena, the Lakers’ home court.
Schroder and Doncic have had an ongoing rivalry for some time, with the two often engaging in heated moments in the game, including their late December clash.
Doncic and Schroder were seen sledding throughout much of the contest. However, the Kings guard went even further from the court, searching for Doncic nearly 40 minutes after Sacramento’s 125-101 loss to Los Angeles.
Schroder’s suspension begins when the Kings play the Houston Rockets on Monday.
In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell scored 28 points and delivered eight assists Sunday to power the Cavaliers against Minnesota 146-134.
But we got extended minutes from Ingles, if only six, as the Australian veteran posted season highs across the board.
Ingles scored a season-high five points, three assists and scored his first 3-pointer of the season.
After completing 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 field in three of Minnesota’s last four games, including the veteran pitching in Sunday’s game ahead of former No. 8 pick Rob Dillingham.
Ingles, who has played in 11 of a possible 39 games this season, hugged his former Jazz teammate Mitchell after the game following the Cavs star’s sparkling performance.
Two nights after losing at Minnesota, the Cavs also scored 24 points on 11-of-16 shooting from Evan Mobley and 23 points off the bench from Jaylon Tyson to beat the Timberwolves.
“They got out to a 12 lead and we responded, did what we had to do and got the win,” Mitchell said, noting the improvements since Friday’s loss.
“We’ve made adjustments,” he said. “We locked in, dialed in and did a good job. We kept our foot on the gas, they made a few runs and we kept going like always.”
Darius Garland added 22 points for Cleveland while Sam Merrill contributed 20 points, hitting 5 of 6 three-pointers, 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 slipped to 25-14, fourth in the Western Conference.
ALL RESULTS
Timber wolves 134 Horsemen 146
Heat 99 Pacers 123
Mowers 98 Pistons 92
Spurs 100 Celtics 95
Nonconformists 107 Bulls 125
Hornets – Jazz
