The Lakers knew their first-round series against the Timberwolves wasn’t going to be easy. But Game 3 threw an unexpected curveball: Luka Doncic was clearly not himself. Los Angeles battled all night but couldn’t overcome the combination of Minnesota’s energy – and their star player’s sudden health setback – falling 116-104 on Thursday night.
Doncic finished with just 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting, a far cry from the level he’s used to hitting on the playoff stage. Watching him move, it was obvious something was off. After the game, head coach JJ Redick confirmed it: Doncic had been sick for over 24 hours, battling vomiting spells throughout the afternoon.
“He’s really under the weather,”Redick said after the loss, via @ohnohedidnt24 on X. “I don’t even know how much he slept last night.”
Battling through it: Doncic fights, but the Lakers run out of gas
Still, Doncic gutted it out, playing 40 minutes and trying to push through what looked like pure exhaustion at times. LeBron James, who nearly willed the Lakers back late in the fourth, praised Doncic’s effort, telling reporters (via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin) that “a lot of guys wouldn’t have even suited up.”
It just wasn’t enough. Minnesota smelled blood, with Anthony Edwards erupting for 32 points and closing the game with authority. The Timberwolves’ defensive pressure, particularly from Jaden McDaniels, made life even harder for a struggling Lakers offense.
Now Los Angeles finds itself in a precarious spot. Game 4, set for Sunday at 3:30 PM ET, looms large. Falling behind 3-1 in the series would leave the Lakers staring down a brutal uphill climb – a situation even a team led by LeBron and Luka would rather avoid.
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Lakers are optimistic Doncic will bounce back with a couple of days’ rest. They’ll need every bit of it if they want to even this series and keep their postseason alive.
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