Hawks suspend Dennis Schröder one game for a very strange reason

By Brett Pollakoff
Published

The Atlanta Hawks suspended starting point guard Dennis Schröder one game for failing to report to the team on time after the All-Star break, but it wasn't because he chose to take an extended vacation.

“We are disappointed that he did not return to the team on time and we have discussed this with him," president of basketball operations and head coach Mike Budenholzer said in a statement. "We look forward to him rejoining the team in Orlando tomorrow night.”




Chris Vivlamore of AJC.com explains the reason for Schröder's extended absence.







Schroder returned to his native Germany for the All-Star break, but did not take his visa to return to the United States. He missed the Hawks post-break practices Wednesday and Thursday.

“I replaced my passport and didn’t realize that I had to put my new visa in there,” Schroder said Friday. “The Hawks organization and the NBA tried to get me as soon as possible a meeting with the consulate. We didn’t make it in time. I’m sorry for me, my teammates and the organization.”

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It seems like a harsh penalty, but it's clear the organization believes that this is 100 percent on the player for not taking care of the issue well in advance. Schröder will serve the suspension on Friday when the Hawks host the Miami Heat.