Luka Doncic struggles with illness as Los Angeles Lakers fall 116–104 to Minnesota Timberwolves in game 3

Luka Doncic 's stomach bug turned Game 3 into a disaster for the Lakers , who lost 116–104 to the Timberwolves on April 25, 2025. After averaging 34 points in the first two games, Doncic only managed 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting, shocking the fans. With the series now 2-1 in favor of Minnesota, LeBron James ' 38-point performance wasn't enough to save the day for the Lakers.

Timberwolves capitalize on Luka Doncic’s off night to seize series leadDoncic's illness, as mentioned by ESPN's Lisa Salters during the game, really took a toll on the Lakers' star. The 26-year-old didn't come back for the second half, had a brief sit-down, and finished with 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 5 turnovers, and a -16 plus-minus. Fans on social media were brutal, with comments like, 'Luka played like a benchwarmer,' and others doubting his defensive hustle. Jaden McDaniels was the standout for Minnesota, scoring a playoff-career-high 30 points, while Anthony Edwards chipped in with 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. The Timberwolves' impressive 13-1 run in the last 4:37 sealed the deal for the Lakers, highlighting their dependence on a healthy Doncic.

Luka Doncic in Game 3:

17 Points
6-17 FG
2-8 3PT
5 Turnovers

LET BRON DOWN 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/H9dUgshW7m

— Hater Central (@TheHateCentral) April 26, 2025

LeBron James, at the age of 40, scored 38 points on 13-of-21 shooting, including three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, while also grabbing 10 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists to lead the Lakers. However, his impressive performance wasn't enough to cover for Doncic's poor showing or the team's defensive shortcomings. Since being traded from Dallas in February, Doncic has helped the Lakers reach a 50-32 record and the No. 3 seed, averaging 28.2 points in 28 games. Yet, fans are still debating the trade's worth, with one saying, “The Lakers win that game if they kept Anthony Davis instead of trading for Luka.”

Despite the loss to the Wolves, LeBron James dropped the most points by a 40-year-old in NBA playoffs history. pic.twitter.com/J4NEOCRmrB

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 26, 2025

Social media buzzed with frustration over Doncic’s recent inconsistency. “It’s sad that a Luka bad game every other day is now a regular occurrence,” one fan lamented. Someone referred to him as 'Whine and Cheese' due to his unimpressive performance. But honestly, Doncic's illness sheds light on his rough 2-of-8 shooting from three and his sluggishness on the court. The Lakers are now in a critical Game 4, needing to win to avoid a 3-1 deficit, with their championship aspirations at stake.

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The Lakers' Game 3 setback reveals their reliance on a healthy Luka Doncic, whose illness kept him from shining. With Minnesota gaining steam and LeBron James needing more help, the upcoming Game 4 on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET at Target Center is critical. If Doncic can bounce back, the Lakers have a chance to level the series. But another off night could push them to the edge, leaving fans questioning if the Doncic trade was a misstep.