MINNEAPOLIS — Luka Doncic, the Lakers’ dazzling superstar, dragged himself onto the court Friday night, April 25, 2025, looking more like a man battling a bad flu than a basketball phenom. Struck down by a vicious stomach bug, he still suited up for Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The result? A 116-104 loss that left Los Angeles reeling and Doncic visibly drained.
Doncic, usually a whirlwind of step-back threes and no-look passes, was a shadow of himself. He managed just 17 points, a far cry from his typical 30-plus outbursts. The 26-year-old Slovenian, known for carrying his team through sheer will, spent the day vomiting, barely able to keep anything down. His coach, JJ Redick, didn’t mince words: the kid was sick as a dog, hurling all afternoon before tipoff. Yet Doncic refused to sit, gutting out 38 minutes on the floor.
Teammate Dorian Finney-Smith, watching Doncic’s pale face and sluggish steps, figured he wouldn’t make it past halftime. The guy looked like he needed an IV, not a basketball. But Doncic kept going, sinking a few shots, dishing out six assists, and grabbing seven rebounds. It wasn’t enough. The Timberwolves, smelling blood, pounced, their defense swarming a sluggish Lakers squad that couldn’t match Minnesota’s energy.
The game, played before a roaring crowd at Target Center, saw Minnesota’s balanced attack overwhelm Los Angeles. Anthony Edwards dropped 28 points for the Wolves, while Karl-Anthony Towns added 22. The Lakers, down 2-1 in the series, now face a steep climb as they head into Game 4 on Sunday, April 27.
Doncic’s status for the next game remains unclear. No official word from the Lakers’ medical staff or front office has confirmed whether the stomach ailment will linger. For now, the team’s focus is on regrouping, with Redick emphasizing rest and recovery for his star player. Game 4 tips off at 8:30 p.m. ET in Minneapolis.