When Luka Dončić took the floor for Game 3 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Minnesota Timberwolves on April 26, 2025, he was barely holding himself together. Sick with a severe stomach bug, the 26-year-old Slovenian phenom still dropped 27 points, 9 rebounds, and 6 assists — yet somehow, he was the one getting criticized. Not by fans. Not by analysts. But by an unidentified former employee of the Dallas Mavericks, who posted a scathing social media thread claiming Dončić’s performance was "underwhelming," adding, "Weird, it’s almost like he was dealing with a [stomach bug]." The post, first reported by Sports Illustrated on April 25, 2025, went viral — not because it was insightful, but because it was cruelly out of touch.
Playing Through Illness — And Getting Blamed for It
Dončić didn’t just play through illness. He played through vomiting between quarters, chugging electrolytes like water, and barely sleeping the night before. Team doctors confirmed the condition to BasketNews.com on April 25, but the organization kept it quiet to avoid giving the Timberwolves a psychological edge. That’s standard in the NBA. Players battle flu, sprains, and migraines in silence. Yet here was a former staffer — someone who once worked in the Mavericks’ front office — publicly mocking a player who gave everything while physically collapsing.It’s not just heartless. It’s ignorant. Dončić’s stat line in Game 3 would be a career night for most. For him, it was a miracle. He shot 9-of-24 from the field. He missed his last six three-pointers. He looked drained on defense. And still, he carried the team. The Mavericks lost 108-102 — but Dončić was the only reason they were even close.
The Game 4 Call That Could Have Changed Everything
Two days later, on April 27, 2025, the Mavericks lost Game 4 116-113 at Target Center in Minneapolis. And it wasn’t just the Timberwolves’ execution that sealed it. It was the officiating.With 33 seconds left and Dallas trailing by two, Jaden McDaniels (25) clearly tripped Dončić as he drove baseline. No whistle. No foul. Dončić stumbled, lost his balance, and couldn’t get off a shot. The NBA’s Last 2 Minute Report, released the next day, confirmed it: a missed foul. Had the call been made, Dončić would’ve had two free throws — a chance to tie the game. Instead, Minnesota held on.
Then came the chaos with 9.5 seconds left. Referees initially called no foul on a drive by Anthony Edwards (23). After video review, they reversed it — a rare, last-second overturn — and Edwards sank two free throws to make it a three-point game. The Mavericks had no timeouts left. Game over.
Coach Redick’s Raw Reaction
JJ Redick, the Mavericks’ head coach and former All-Star guard, didn’t hold back after the game. "Luka got tripped. I mean — that’s a blatant. He just fell. We watched it. He gets tripped. So we should be at the free throw line. It’s not an excuse for us losing — but he helped us get there."His words were clipped, frustrated — not because he was blaming refs, but because he knew what Dončić had endured. Redick, who played 15 NBA seasons, has seen players push through injuries. But this? This was different. A player battling illness, then denied a chance to tie the game because of a missed call? That’s not just bad luck. It’s a system failure.
The Referee Who’s Had It Out for Luka
The irony? Game 3 was officiated by veteran Tony Brothers (54), a 30-year NBA official who’s called over 1,600 games. But in March 2025, Brothers ejected Dončić during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder — an ejection the NBA later admitted was incorrect. Last Word on Sports flagged it as "Luka’s worst nightmare" before Game 3. And now, with the series on the line, the same crew is being scrutinized again.The Mavericks aren’t strangers to bad calls. Back on March 12, 2025, the NBA admitted it missed a critical foul in their 123-121 win over the Indiana Pacers — a mistake that, if corrected, could’ve cost them the game. Now, with the playoffs on the line, it’s deja vu.
Can They Come Back From 3-1?
Only 13 teams in NBA history have overcome a 3-1 deficit since 2003. The last? The 2016 Cavaliers against the Warriors. The odds are brutal. But Dončić isn’t just playing for himself. He’s playing for a franchise that’s spent 15 years chasing legitimacy. For a CEO, Cynt Marshall, who’s fought to rebuild culture after years of toxic leadership. For a coach, Redick, who’s still proving he belongs on the bench.Game 5 is Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The Mavericks need a miracle. And they need their star to be healthy.
What Happens If They Lose?
If the Timberwolves close it out in Game 5, it’ll be the end of a promising season. It’ll also ignite a reckoning inside the Mavericks’ organization. Why did a former employee feel empowered to publicly shame a sick player? Who gave them a platform? And why wasn’t this handled internally — before it went public?Meanwhile, the Timberwolves, led by CEO Alexander Rodriguez and coach Chris Finch, are one win away from their first Western Conference Finals since 2004. They’re not just a team. They’re a movement. And they’re not done.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Luka Dončić play through a stomach bug and still put up 27 points?
Dončić relied on adrenaline, IV fluids between quarters, and sheer willpower. Team medical staff confirmed he was vomiting before tip-off and barely slept the night before. His 27-point performance came on 9-of-24 shooting, with multiple missed shots due to weakness and dizziness — making it one of the most physically taxing games of his career.
Why didn’t the Mavericks disclose Luka’s illness earlier?
NBA teams routinely withhold injury and illness details to avoid giving opponents psychological leverage. The Mavericks followed protocol — until a former employee leaked it. Publicly revealing such information is considered unethical in professional sports, as it can be weaponized by rivals and media.
What’s the likelihood the Mavericks come back from 3-1?
Only 13 teams in NBA history have done it since the 2003 playoff format. The last was the 2016 Cavaliers. The odds are roughly 4%. But Dončić has a history of elevated performances under pressure — including his 2021 playoff run against the Clippers — making this series far from over, even if the odds are stacked.
Was the missed foul call in Game 4 the real reason Dallas lost?
No — but it was the tipping point. Dallas was down 114-113 when the foul was missed. Had Dončić made both free throws, it would’ve been 115-114, and the Timberwolves would’ve needed a three to win. Instead, they got a three-point lead on the overturned call. The loss was built on poor execution, but the missed call removed their best chance to tie.
Why is this controversy bigger than just one game?
Because it exposes a toxic undercurrent in sports culture: the tendency to blame athletes for things beyond their control. When a player battles illness and still performs at an elite level, criticism shouldn’t come from within the organization. It should come from admiration — not social media rants by ex-staffers who don’t know what’s really happening behind the scenes.
What’s next for the Mavericks’ organization?
If they lose Game 5, internal investigations will likely follow — including how a former employee got access to private medical details and why they weren’t silenced. The team’s culture, already under scrutiny since CEO Cynt Marshall’s 2018 hiring, could face renewed pressure. For now, their focus remains on Game 5 — and whether Dončić can rise again.