Austin Reaves said Luka Doncic "gave everything" as he played through a stomach illness in the Los Angeles Lakers' Game 3 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Minnesota impressed on defense as they earned a 116-104 win over the Lakers to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round series on Friday.

Jaden McDaniels scored a career playoff-high 30 points, leading the Timberwolves' defense, while Anthony Edwards added 29 and Julius Randle had 22.

The ailing Doncic managed just 17 points in 40 minutes, with LeBron James doing most of the heavy lifting, scoring 38 points, the most in NBA postseason history by a player over 40.

His tally included three 3-pointers in the fourth quarter. However, he failed to find a shot in the closing stages as Minnesota closed on a 13-1 run.

"He gave it everything he had tonight and played 39, 40 minutes, did everything he could do to help us win," Reaves, who had 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists, said of Doncic.

"We had an opportunity. It was a one-possession game with three minutes left, and yeah, we just couldn't get it done."

Final pic.twitter.com/L96mtOu0jB

— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) April 26, 2025

While Doncic's struggles were noticeable, the Lakers also failed to protect the ball, committing 19 turnovers, which resulted in 28 points for Minnesota.

James acknowledged that the Slovenian's illness impacted the game, but stressed that the mistakes ultimately cost them on Friday.

"Obviously, with his illness, it impacts our team," said 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.

"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 will take place in Minneapolis on Sunday.