Lakers players react to Doncic illness

LeBron James reacted with a cool head in the aftermath of the Los Angeles Lakers’ 104-116 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, a victory that puts them 2-1 up in the playoff series.

A huge headline after the game was Luka Doncic’s fitness: in the 24 hours leading up to the hame, the Slovenian suffered from a stomach illness, and was seen in visible discomfort during the clash. After averaging 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists through the first two games of the series, Game 3 was a let down, with the player hitting 17 points on 6-for-16 shooting, seven rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers.

“Obviously, with his illness, it impacts our team,” admitted LeBron James, “We understand what he brings to our team and what he’s done since the acquisition. It definitely took a big blow for our team.”

‘We just couldn’t get it done’

“I didn’t think he was going to come out [for the] second half,” Finney-Smith told reporters in the aftermath of the game. “Just because how he sounded, his body language, how he looked. He looked a little pale today. He probably needs to hydrate some more. But like I said, Luka’s tough.”

Reaves said that Doncic “gave it everything” during the game and added that “we had an opportunity. It was a one-possession game with three minutes left, and yeah, we just couldn’t get it done.”

“Hopefully, whatever’s going on, he’s feeling better on Sunday,” Redick said of Doncic. “I mean, I can’t [diagnose him]. I’m not a doctor.”

As for the level of play during the loss, LeBron explained it in simple terms: “In the postseason, obviously you’re not going to play a perfect game. But the more that you make mistakes on top of mistakes, on top of mistakes -- things that can be controlled -- then it’s not going to give you an opportunity to be in the best possible chance to win.”

Game 4 is scheduled for today, Sunday, April 27, 2025, at 3:30 PM ET at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.