Instead, it was the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiling James' 38-point gem with a 116-104 victory in Game 3 behind a career night from Jaden McDaniels and another potential torch-passing performance from Anthony Edwards -- who could be on his way to his third dethronement of an all-time great in the past two seasons.

The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Friday's Game 3, falling 116-104 as the Timberwolves took a two-games-to-one lead in the opening round series. Though the 40-year-old James had a throwback performance with 38 points, the Lakers were unable to overcome the hot Timberwolves on a night when Luka Doncic was dealing with an illness.

A stomach illness contributed to Luka Dončić having his worst performance of the playoffs so far in the Los Angeles Lakers' 116-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 3 of their Western Conference series on Friday night.