Lakers Reveal New Details About Just How Sick Luka Doncic Was
Lakers Reveal New Details About Just How Sick Luka Doncic Was
Luka Doncic struggled through Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves while battling a significant stomach illness. The Lakers star managed just 17 points on 6/16 shooting and committed 5 turnovers in the 116-104 loss, which gave Minnesota a 2-1 series lead.
Coach JJ Redick confirmed that Doncic had been dealing with health issues for approximately 24 hours before the game. The illness severely impacted Doncic’s preparation, with Redick revealing that his star player experienced vomiting throughout the afternoon and struggled with sleep the night before.
“[Luka Doncic] 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. His stomach was bothering him. He was vomiting all afternoon. … He’s really under the weather.”
This performance marked a dramatic departure from Doncic’s typical playoff excellence. Entering the game, he had been averaging 31.0 points in his playoff career, second only to Michael Jordan in NBA history. The 17-point output represents one of his lowest scoring totals in postseason play.
The contrast between Games 2 and 3 was stark. In Game 2, Doncic delivered a near triple-double with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 9 assists to help the Lakers even the series at 1-1. His diminished energy and effectiveness in Game 3 were apparent from the opening tip.
Despite his illness, Doncic demonstrated his commitment by playing 40 minutes through the stomach issues. The Lakers now face a critical situation with Game 4 scheduled less than 48 hours after Game 3, raising questions about Doncic’s recovery timeline and potential impact on the team’s chances of evening the series.
Jennifer Withers Hoey is a former Business Development Manager who transitioned to writing about sports. With valuable connections all over the West Coast, she has used those contacts to break some of the most interesting stories pertaining to the Portland Trail Blazers, Oregon Ducks, LA Lakers, LA Clippers, Seattle Supersonics (RIP), and more.
