The Los Angeles Lakers arrived in Minneapolis looking to seize control of their first-round series, but a 116-104 defeat in Game 3 on Friday night left them reeling and facing tough choices ahead of Sunday’s rematch.

After carrying a four-point halftime lead, Los Angeles could not keep pace with Minnesota’s offense and ultimately lost the game in the second half.

Luka Doncic, slowed by a lingering illness, managed just 17 points on 6-of-16 shooting, while veteran forward LeBron James again carried the offensive load with 38 points, 10 rebounds and four assists.

However, the rest of the Lakers’ frontcourt struggled to keep pace, with Rui Hachimura and starting center Jaxson Hayes combining for 10 points.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, center Jaxson Hayes, and forward Dorian Finney-Smith Gary A.

Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Hayes logged a postseason-low nine minutes in Game 3, and his limited playing time has raised fresh questions about Los Angeles’ interior defense and rebounding toughness against Minnesota’s physical front line.

With Game 4 right around the corner, head coach JJ Redick acknowledged that benching Hayes remains on the table.

“We’ll look at everything,” Redick said, “but we still believe in Jaxson.” JJ Redick on if he’s considering benching starting center Jaxson Hayes: “We’ll look at everything but we still believe in Jaxson.”

Hayes has yet to crack double-digit minutes in the series. — Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) April 26, 2025 Benching a starter midway through a playoff series would be a major decision, but one the Lakers are now facing.

Hayes averaged 6.8 points and 4.8 rebounds in 19.5 minutes per game during the regular season. Yet his regular season performance has yet to translate in the playoffs, where the Lakers’ lack of true size has been exposed. Sunday’s affair in Minnesota will test Redick’s willingness to shake up his rotation.

With the series now tilted 2-1 in Minnesota’s favor, Redick’s next move may well decide whether the Lakers will head back to LA with a more comfortable result.