Following a hard-fought battle to equalize the series in Game 2, the Los Angeles Lakers now face an uphill challenge. They encountered a disappointing defeat against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of the first round of the playoffs at Target Center. Notably, Luka Doncic’s stomach discomfort during the game may have significantly impacted the team’s performance.
Despite playing for 40 minutes in the game, Doncic’s performance was significantly hampered by troubling stomach pain. Once the halftime buzzer sounded, he chose to take a seat on the bench, visibly concerned about his condition.
During this break, he engaged in a conversation with the Lakers’ medical staff, discussing the discomfort he was experiencing near his abdomen. The interaction suggested that he sought their expert advice and assistance to address the troubling symptoms affecting his play.
Luka Doncic is clearly in pain from his stomach virus
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) April 26, 2025
After the halftime horn he went to sit down on the bench and talked to Lakers medical staff about pain near the abdomen area, Lakers will get more news after halftime pic.twitter.com/2Le1BYeOb6
Lisa Salters reported on ESPN that Luka Doncic has been dealing with a stomach bug all day.
— Daniel Starkand (@DStarkand) April 26, 2025
Following the game, ESPN’s Lisa Salters revealed that Doncic had been struggling with a stomach bug throughout the entire day. The implications of his condition raise questions about his performance impact in future matchups.
Luka Doncic’s Performance In Game 3 Against The Minnesota Timberwolves
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Despite experiencing stomach pain, Luka Doncic played for 40 minutes, scoring 17 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds. LeBron James also delivered a stellar performance, recording a double-double with 38 points, four assists, and 10 rebounds over 41 minutes of play.
Austin Reaves made a significant impact, contributing 20 points, four assists, and seven rebounds. However, despite these strong individual efforts, the Lakers lost to the Timberwolves, scoring 116-104.
During the post-game interview, head coach JJ Redick cited the team’s defensive collapse as the primary reason for the loss. The Lakers now have a series record of 1-2 and will face off in Game 4 at Target Center on April 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM ET.
