DENVER - Hawks rookie Dennis Schroder was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA Thursday for striking DeMarcus Cousins in the groing during Tuesday’s game in Sacramento.
Schroder will serve the suspension tonight when the Hawks play at the Nuggets.
The incident occurred with 9:54 remaining in the fourth quarter of the Hawks’ 105-100 win as Schroder fought through a screen while guarding Isaiah Thomas.
Schroder claimed he was just trying to get around the screen.
“I was guarding Isaiah Thomas, and we got tangled up as I was trying to get around the screen,” Schroder said Wednesday. “I was just focused on getting back into position and in front of my guy.”
The incident drew attention following Cousins’ postgame remarks and when Kings minority owner Shaquille O’Neal took to social media. O’Neal tweeted video of the incident.
Hawks coach Mike Budenholzer defended his rookie.
“I have been able to see the play from a few different angles,” Budenholzer said Wednesday. “Dennis was just trying to get over the pick that Cousins set. They got tangled up for a second, which happens all the time defending the pick and roll.”
Cousins clearly was frustrated during the game. He and Schroder collided earlier in a similar situation. Cousins later fouled Al Horford, originally called a flagrant, but downgraded after an officials review.
“I took a cheap shot to my lower area,” Cousins told reporters after the game. “(The referees) just blew it off. I guess because it was me.”
* I will report back later today following the Hawks shootaround this morning in Denver.
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