That changed for both of them in the third quarter.
The pair of point guards exchanged words after Irving was called for a personal foul on Schroder with 9 minutes, 41 seconds remaining in the third quarter and the Lakers ahead 66-62, prompting referee Zach Zarba to separate the two and issue a double technical foul -- one to each player.
Irving and Schroder continued to jaw at each other after teammates intervened to step between them when Irving was called for a second technical foul by referee Tyler Ford, resulting in an automatic ejection. Schroder was issued a second technical foul of his own shortly thereafter.
"I think it was unnecessary,"Schroder said after the game. "It's just unfortunate that I left my team out there by their self. And I mean, I don't even know what I did; but I got kicked out, and I apologize for that just to my teammates."
The ejections marred strong performances from both players. Schroder finished with 19 points (on 7-for-11 shooting) and four assists, while Irving put up 18 points (6-for-11) and four rebounds.
The Lakers went on to beat the Nets 126-101.
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