Luka Doncic appears poised for a strong bounce-back performance in Game 4 after battling a stomach illness that impacted his showing in Game 3.
According to NBA insider Shams Charania on ESPN’s NBA Countdown, Doncic spent all of Saturday resting, receiving treatment, and catching up on sleep, something he could not do in the previous days.
“Luka Doncic has rested,” he said. “He’s feeling much better and outside of a team meeting and individual treatment I’m told Luka Doncic spent all of Saturday sleeping in his bed which is something he could not do on Thursday and Friday when he was dealing with a viral bug when he played through it Friday night.
“He’s feeling a lot stronger, he’s ready to go for Game 4 today after spending all of Saturday pretty much sleeping and bed ridden.”
The Los Angeles Lakers star struggled in Game 3, posting just 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting while committing five turnovers in a 116-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Jaden McDaniels led Minnesota with a career-high 30 points while holding Doncic in check defensively, helping the Timberwolves take a 2-1 lead in the first-round playoff series.
Anthony Edwards added 29 points and Julius Randle contributed 22 as Minnesota dominated the paint with a 56-26 scoring edge.
Despite a 38-point effort from LeBron James, the Lakers faltered late, scoring only one point over the final 4:37 as Minnesota closed the game on a 13-1 run.
With Game 4 set for Sunday in Minneapolis, the Timberwolves aim to build on their momentum and push the Lakers to the brink of elimination.
However, a healthier Doncic could change the dynamic after his illness visibly sapped his energy and effectiveness in Game 3.
The Lakers finished third in the Western Conference standings with a 50-32 record, narrowly ahead of the Timberwolves, who secured the sixth seed at 49-33.
In addition to Doncic’s improved condition, Los Angeles will need better ball security after committing 19 turnovers that Minnesota converted into 28 points.
Austin Reaves chipped in 20 points in Game 3, hitting five three-pointers, but Los Angeles struggled at the free throw line and inside, which proved costly down the stretch.
Timberwolves reserve Naz Reid added 11 points off the bench, while veteran Mike Conley provided steady playmaking in limited minutes.
As Doncic returns closer to full strength, the Lakers will look to even the series before it shifts back to Los Angeles for a pivotal Game 5.
