Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic engaged in a heated exchange with Kings guard Dennis Schroder on camera. This time, fans didn’t react to one of his highlights, but to the tense on-court confrontation.
Doncic impressed against the Sacramento Kings in the final matchup before the NBA regular season. However, fans overlooked that performance once his clash with Schroder stole the spotlight.
Two players, one competitive fire
According to The Sports Rush, Doncic and Schroder currently hold very different statuses in the NBA. Doncic is a potential MVP and one of the faces of the league, while Schroder is seen as a solid starter. Still, both are considered major stars in international basketball.
Their rivalry traces back to the FIBA EuroBasket 2025 quarterfinals, where Germany defeated Slovenia and went on to win the tournament. So fans are now wondering: Was Luka looking for revenge on Friday night, or is he still upset about that loss?
Statistical comparison between Eurobasket “MVP” Dennis Schroder and Luka Doncic.
(Via @luka_global_ on IG) pic.twitter.com/pzHvVIakNC— HeroOfTheDay (@Hero_OfThe_Day) September 23, 2025
In the first quarter, Schroder reportedly tried to provoke Doncic with constant trash talk. Doncic dismissed him with a laugh and said, “I’m not **** with you,” during the altercation.
Schroder often flies under the radar despite performing his role effectively, and the Kings will start him at point guard for the 2025-26 season. Doncic, by contrast, has embraced trash talk as part of his game—a habit he developed after joining the NBA in 2018. In Europe, he rarely engaged in it.
“I think in the NBA it happens way more than in Europe. When I was a kid, I didn’t talk trash. But here, everybody talks,” Doncic said in an interview. And whenever he talks, he backs up his words with production.
After the heated exchange, the Lakers lost a tight game 117–116, giving Schroder the last laugh—even though Doncic scored 31 points on 8–16 shooting.
