National team captain Dennis Schröder flew off the field in the third quarter of the important game six of the NBA playoffs between his Los Angeles Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. The 29-year-old from Braunschweig received his second technical foul 6:20 minutes before the end of the third round and was not allowed to continue playing. At this point, the Lakers led 74-58 against the defending champions and won 122-101 in the end. Schröder had been called up for the first time in the playoffs against the Warriors in the starting lineup and had made a very strong game, especially in defense, until his expulsion.
Schroeder conceded the foul because he had stood in front of his opponent Draymond Green after a point for the Lakers and provoked him. Green was also punished for the scene with a technical foul. Schroeder received the first technical foul early in the first half after Green had fallen over his legs and the Lakers pro had provoked him afterwards in the perception of the referees.
"When you play in the NBA, you fight, you do everything, you give it your all. I've just met Green, everything is good there," Schroeder told the German Press Agency.
Conference Finals vs. Denver Nuggets
The Lakers, who had only secured their ticket for the championship round via the play-in tournament, will now meet the Denver Nuggets around two-time MVP Nikola Jokic in the Conference Finals of the West. "It's going to be a great series," James said on ESPN: "They've been number one in the West all season. We have a lot of respect for them."
In the East, Miami became the first team to advance to the Conference Finals. Either the Boston Celtics or the Philadelphia 76ers are waiting there, who will decide the last NBA semi-finalist among themselves on Monday night. In Miami, Jimmy Butler once again impressed with 24 points, while the Knicks were not satisfied with 41 points from playmaker Jalen Brunson. Hartenstein had two points and four blocks.