James had to step up big time with Luka Doncic ailing with an apparent illness. Doncic (17 points, seven rebounds, eight assists) wasn't terrible, but he was clearly limited by a mysterious condition that had him clutching at his stomach throughout the contest.

LeBron James’s NBA-record 290 playoff appearances are more than the combined total of the Timberwolves’ starting lineup. But in James’ three-and-a-half seasons worth of playoff games, there’s one thing the 40-year-old has never found.

Luka Doncic was effective as usual in both contests, leading the Lakers with 37 points and eight rebounds in Game 1 along with 31, 12, and eight assists in Game 2. Meanwhile, LeBron James rebounded from a middling 19-point, five-rebound performance in Game 1 with a 21-point, 11-rebound, and seven-assist effort on Tuesday.