Last spring, Luka Doncic guided the Dallas Mavericks past the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals, securing a series-clinching win at Target Center. However, his current playoff run in Minnesota has started off poorly.
In Game 3 of the first-round series on Friday night, the Mavericks star played 40 minutes despite battling a stomach illness, finishing with just 17 points on 6-for-16 shooting, along with five turnovers. He also contributed eight assists and seven rebounds, but it was clear from the beginning that he wasn’t performing at his usual level. Lakers coach J.J. Redick revealed that Doncic had been vomiting all afternoon before the game, which tipped off at 8:54 p.m.
“He hasn’t been feeling well for the last 24 hours,” Redick said. “I don’t know how much he slept last night. He didn’t feel well last night. He was really under the weather.”
Doncic didn’t start the second half but checked in early in the third quarter. Shortly after, Rudy Gobert poked the ball out of Doncic’s hands in the backcourt, starting a fast break that ended with a three-point play for the Timberwolves following a foul on Doncic. It was one of several sloppy moments for the five-time All-NBA star, who was unexpectedly traded from the Mavericks to the Lakers earlier this season, which had already been full of surprises.
“He gave everything he had tonight,” said Austin Reaves, who scored 20 points for the Lakers. “He played 39, 40 minutes. He did everything he could do to help us win. We had opportunities, but we just couldn’t get it done.”
Doncic was receiving treatment after the game and didn’t meet with the media. The crowd at Target Center, which had watched him dominate the Timberwolves’ top-ranked defense in the conference finals last year, was pleased to see him struggle. He didn’t have much of a chance to play the villain, failing to create clean shots and staying quiet throughout the game.
Minnesota’s top defender, Jaden McDaniels, made it difficult for Doncic to get comfortable with both his shooting and ball handling. Anthony Edwards even dunked on Doncic in the third quarter.
“I was just picking him up every time. I couldn’t tell he was going through anything,” said McDaniels, who set a career playoff high with 30 points.
The Timberwolves also targeted Doncic on offense, exploiting his weaknesses on a night when he was clearly not at his best. With the Timberwolves now leading the series 2-1, questions remain about how the illness and quick turnaround will impact the rest of the series, especially with Game 4 set for Sunday afternoon.
“Hopefully, whatever’s going on, he feels better by Sunday,” Redick said. “I’m not a doctor.”
