The stakes have never been higher for the Los Angeles Lakers. Luka Doncic and Co. are gearing up for a colossal clash against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 4. The atmosphere in the LA locker room is charged with intensity as the Lakers face a must-win situation, trailing 2-1. After a challenging Game 3 in which their efforts faltered against Anthony Edwards and the rest of the Minnesota roster. What made things much more difficult for Los Angeles was Luka Doncic’s stomach illness. The Slovenian point guard was suffering from a painful stomach flu. Despite that, he managed to score 17 points to go along with eight assists and seven rebounds. However, that wasn’t enough as the Wolves rallied in the fourth quarter to grab a crucial 116-104 win.

With Game four just over the horizon, all eyes are on Luka Doncic’s health. The Lakers’ nation is hoping that the 26-year-old point guard is fit for this massive matchup. The LA management did not even expect him to finish Game 3. However, he did! Now, there is more good news for the LA faithful as Luka Doncic, according to Shams Charania, is cleared to play. “Look at Dodger just rested, he’s feeling much better and outside of a team meeting and individual treatment, I’m told Luka Doncic spent all of Saturday sleeping in his bed, just something he could not do on Thursday and Friday when he was dealing with a viral bug, but he played through it Friday night. He’s feeling a lot stronger, he’s ready to go for Game 4. After spending all of Saturday pretty much sleeping in bed.” Charania Stated. 

This is massive news for the Lakers faithful as they need all the help ahead of a must-win Game 4. Doncic wasn’t at his best on Friday, but still toughed it out, scoring just 17 points. However, those points did not come without adversities as the Lakers’ point guard went 6-of-16 from the field in 40 minutes of action. However, throughout the series, Doncic has been putting out solid numbers numbers throughout the series. He’s averaging 28.3 points, nine rebounds, and six assists per game. So, having him back at 100 percent will be a huge sigh of relief for the Lakers. According to Shams Charania, some much-needed rest has helped Doncic’s recovery as he aims to lead his team to victory tonight.

Doncic will now join forces with LeBron James and the rest of his teammates to figure out a way to bring the series back on level terms. If they slip tonight, the Lakers will fall into a 3-1 deficit that would be almost impossible to come out of. So, Doncic’s presence is a must-have, and the news of him being fit is huge. But it makes to wonder how the 26-year-old managed to recover after being in visible discomfort in Friday’s loss. Did LA’s medical staff help Doncic recover swiftly, or did he follow some advice? Well, there is allegedly another NBA superstar’s hand in Luka Doncic’s swift recovery from the stomach flu. But who is it?

Luka Doncic follows the advice of another NBA superstar to recover for Game 4

The secret to Luka Doncic’s recovery just in time to make it to Game 4 is: napping. Yes! As we already know, the Slovenian has almost slept the entire Saturday to get himself geared up for the clash. Does this napping part sound familiar? Well, that’s because it is. For those who are not aware, Golden State’s franchise player, Stephen Curry, gave this important advice to Tyrese Haliburton during the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, after his terrible shooting from beyond the arc against Detroit, Haliburton revealed Curry’s advice.

“He (Curry) convinced me to try out pre-game naps because I told him I don’t nap, and he told me to try it out and text him after the game and see the result. So he’ll be getting a text from me shortly. No more pre-game naps for Tyrese,”  Haliburton told IndyStar after jokingly blaming Curry for his 1-of-9 shooting from deep. While it did not work at all for Tyrese Haliburton, the same advice did wonders for none other than King James himself. LeBron James followed the Warriors star’s advice of taking naps before games. “Sleep, hydration, and good food,” James revealed his secret after this season’s 131-127 win against the Sacramento Kings. He finished with 39 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists, completing a triple-double following Curry’s valuable advice.

So, it might be LeBron James who could’ve speculatively suggested Doncic to follow Curry’s napping advice. So far, Luka Doncic is having an amazing playoff series against the Timberwolves. But Friday’s game came as a bit of disappointment for the 26-year-old. Well, you cannot blame him for his shooting woes in Game three as he was struggling with a stomach flu. However, now it remains to be seen how following Steph Curry’s advice will help Doncic. As of now, it has helped him recover from the flu, but will it help him explode on the court in Game 4? Everyone will watch closely as LA faces Minnesota in a crucial matchup at the Target Center.