In a surprising turn of events at the NBA playoffs, Luka Doncic’s visit to Minnesota didn’t mirror last year’s triumph when the Dallas Mavericks outperformed the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals. This time, Doncic, now with the Lakers, struggled significantly.
In Friday night’s Game 3 of the first-round series, the Minnesota Timberwolves clinched a 116-104 victory over the Lakers. Doncic, battling a stomach illness, managed to clock 40 minutes on the court but only contributed 17 points, hit 6 of 16 shots, and turned the ball over five times. Despite his efforts, he was not at his peak performance, as observed by Lakers’ coach J.J. Redick who disclosed that Doncic had been sick and vomiting throughout the afternoon before the game.
“He’s been under the weather for the last 24 hours, and I doubt he got much rest,” stated Redick. Doncic’s condition affected his performance significantly. He did not start in the second half, joining the play shortly after the third quarter began. One highlight was when Rudy Gobert stripped the ball from Doncic, initiating a fast break that ended with a Timberwolves three-point play after a foul committed by Doncic himself. This game displayed several untidy moments from Doncic, who was notably traded from the Mavericks to the Lakers in a high-profile deal this season.
Despite his ailment, Doncic gave his all on the court, playing nearly forty minutes, though his contributions weren’t enough to secure a win for the Lakers. “He did everything in his power to help us tonight,” said teammate Austin Reaves, who added 20 points to the Lakers’ tally. “We had chances, but it just didn’t happen for us.”
After the game, Doncic was unavailable for media interactions as he required postgame treatment. The Target Center audience, who previously witnessed Doncic’s dominance, seemed to relish in his current struggle. Minnesota, showcasing its defensive prowess, stifled Doncic’s usual high-impact play.
Jaden McDaniels, known for his strong defensive capabilities, persistently challenged Doncic, limiting his shooting and ball control. At one point, Anthony Edwards managed an electrifying dunk over Doncic in the third quarter. “I was on him the whole time; honestly, I couldn’t tell he was ill,” remarked McDaniels, who also notched a personal playoff-best of 30 points.
Taking advantage of Doncic’s vulnerable state, the Timberwolves exploited his defensive shortcomings at every opportunity. With the Lakers now trailing 2-1 in the series and just a short window before Game 4, there’s uncertainty about Doncic’s recovery in time.
Coach Redick expressed hope for a quick recovery, saying, “Hopefully, he’ll be feeling better by Sunday.”