Doncic struggles through stomach trouble on lackluster 17-point night as Lakers fall behind T-wolves
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Last spring, Luka Doncic led the Dallas Mavericks past the Minnesota Timberwolves in the Western Conference finals with a series-ending victory at Target Center. This trip to Minnesota for Doncic in the NBA playoffs is off to a rough start. Doncic managed to play 40 minutes with a stomach illness in Minnesota’s 116-104 victory over the Lakers on Friday night in Game 3 of the first-round series. He finished with just 17 points on 6-for-16 shooting with a team-high five turnovers. Coach J.J. Redick said Doncic was vomiting all afternoon before the game.
Wagner and Banchero help Magic beat Celtics 95-93 to cut Boston’s lead to 2-1
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Franz Wagner scored 32 points, Paolo Banchero added 29 and the Orlando Magic beat Boston 95-93 on Friday night to cut the Celtics’ lead to 2-1 in the Eastern Conference first-round series. Jayson Tatum had 36 points and nine rebounds for the Celtics in his return to the starting lineup after missing Game 2 with a bruised wrist. The defending NBA champions were 33-8 on the road this season but are now 0-3 in Orlando in 2024-25. The Magic host Game 4 on Sunday.
Trent ties Bucks playoff mark with 9 3s, he and Giannis score 37 in 117-101 Game 3 win over Pacers
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Gary Trent Jr. tied a franchise playoff record with nine 3-pointers and scored 37 points, Giannis Antetokounmpo also had 37 and the Milwaukee Bucks used a big second half to beat Indiana 117-101 on Friday night and cut the Pacers’ series lead to 2-1. Trent finished 9 for 12 behind the arc to tie Hall of Famer Ray Allen’s Bucks mark for most 3-pointers in a postseason game. Antetokounmpo added 12 rebounds for Milwaukee, which hosts Game 4 on Sunday.
Memphis guard Ja Morant listed as doubtful for Game 4 against Thunder with bruised hip
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Memphis guard Ja Morant is doubtful to play Saturday when the Grizzlies face elimination in Game 4 of their Western Conference series against Oklahoma City because of a bruised hip. Morant was injured when he crashed to the floor in Game 3, an injury that contributed to the team’s 114-108 loss. Despite reports that Morant would be out for Game 4 on Saturday, interim coach Tuomas Iisalo declined to confirm that. Later Friday, the Grizzlies listed Morant as doubtful on their injury report for Game 4, meaning he is unlikely to play.