Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

Shams Charania Announces Crucial Update on Luka Doncic's Illness

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Toran Flores | Last updated Apr 27, 2025 1:36 PM ET

The Los Angeles Lakers will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4 of their first-round matchup.

It will be a crucial game for the Lakers as they will look to bounce back from losing in Game 3, taking a 2-1 deficit in the series.

One of the main stories going into the first game in Minnesota was the illness of Luka Doncic.

Doncic played in the third game of the series while battling a stomach bug – it reflected in his play as he finished the game with 17 points, seven rebounds and eight assists while shooting 37% from the field.

Shams Charania makes announcement on Luka Doncic's status

Senior NBA Insider Shams Charania gave an update on Doncic on ABC NBA Countdown, saying, "He's feeling a lot stronger. He's ready to go for Game 4 today after spending all of Saturday pretty much sleeping and bed-ridden."

Reporting for ABC NBA Countdown on how Lakers star Luka Doncic spent his Saturday ahead of Game 4 against Minnesota today: pic.twitter.com/O7Z0ez4Azj
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) April 27, 2025

His status is great news for Lakers fans as Los Angeles will need his offensive presence in order to compete with Minnesota.

After Doncic's off-night in Game 3, he's averaged 28.3 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists for the Lakers in the first round.

He will join the tandem of himself, Austin Reaves and LeBron James and try to figure out how they can avoid taking a 3-1 deficit to the young Timberwolves' squad.

The emergence of forward Jaden McDaniels has highlighted the first-round matchup.

McDaniels has averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists while shooting an impressive 58% from the field for the Timberwolves in the series.

Will the Lakers be able to stop the red-hot shooting of the Timberwolves, or will they continue to struggle on the defensive side and lose both games in Minnesota?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: