Full-strength Wolves take series lead into Game 4 vs. Lakers, as health looms large in NBA playoffs

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Timberwolves have the assets to repeat or even surpass their run last year to the Western Conference finals, with a go-to player who's one of the biggest stars in the game, a couple of shutdown defenders, and a productive and versatile bench, to name a few.

They're playing at full strength, too, which goes a long way toward success in the NBA playoffs.

After navigating extended injury absences for three of their top six scorers, the Timberwolves got healthy in plenty of time for the postseason. Boosted by better size, depth, defense and chemistry than their first-round opponent, they're up 2-1 on the Los Angeles Lakers.

The other clear edge they have on the Lakers entering Game 4 on their home court? Health.

Luka Doncic struggled through a stomach illness in Game 3 and had only 17 points, the second-lowest total in a playoff game of his spectacular career. Even if he's feeling better, he only has 40 hours to rest between games.

“Hopefully, whatever’s going on, he feels better on Sunday,” coach J.J. Redick said. “I’m not a doctor.”

Fortunately for the Lakers, LeBron James is in good shape. The NBA's all-time leading scorer had 38 points in Game 3, the most in postseason history by a player 40 or older, exactly two weeks after he strained his left hip flexor.

“He's moving better. Seems like he’s getting healthier by the day,” Redick said.

Injuries are always a factor in the playoffs, and that trend sure hasn't fizzled this spring. Boston (Jayson Tatum), Cleveland (Darius Garland), Golden State (Jimmy Butler) and Memphis (Ja Morant) are among the teams with All-Stars who've been banged up in their series.

The Celtics, after getting Tatum back from the first postseason absence of his career, lost Game 3 in Orlando on Friday without point guard Jrue Holiday, leaving his status in question for Game 4.

In the other two Eastern Conference series being played on Sunday, Detroit has been down starting shooting guard Jaden Ivey since early January and played without backup big man Isaiah Stewart for the last two games. The Pistons trail New York 2-1. Milwaukee point guard Damian Lillard returned for Game 2 after a monthlong absence, but the Bucks trail Indiana 2-1.

Nobody on the Timberwolves has appreciated being healthy more than Julius Randle, who missed the playoffs last spring with the Knicks and was sidelined the entire month of February with Minnesota.

Randle has been a force in this series, with 49 points and 10 assists over the last two games. His energy, hustle and vision were just as vital for the Timberwolves in Game 3 as his production, ably filling the role as the secondary scorer to Anthony Edwards.

“I try to make the game as easy as possible as I can for him,” Randle said. “He draws so much attention when he has the ball in his hands.”

When/Where to Watch: Game 4, 1 p.m. EDT (ABC)

Series: Knicks lead 2-1.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Pistons by 1.5.

What to Know: Detroit has lost eight straight home playoff games since 2008, one short of a dubious NBA record held by Philadelphia (1968-71). The Pistons need Cade Cunningham to shine — and his teammates to hit their 3-pointers. Cunningham joined LeBron James, Russell Westbrook and Rick Barry as the only players with at least 24 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, four steals and two blocks in an NBA playoff game, but the All-Star point guard also missed 15 of 25 shots and had six turnovers in the Game 3 loss. Malik Beasley had a franchise-record 319 made 3-pointers during the regular season, ranking second in the league, but he was 2 of 10 beyond the arc in Game 3.

When/Where to Watch: Game 4, 3:30 p.m. EDT (ABC)

Series: Timberwolves lead 2-1.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Timberwolves by 3.5.

What to Know: Even with a healthy Doncic, the Lakers offense has hardly been potent. They're averaging 97.7 points in the series against the bigger and deeper Timberwolves, with 19 turnovers stifling them throughout Game 3.

“The more that you make mistakes on top of mistakes on top of mistakes, things that can be controlled, it’s not going to give you an opportunity to be in the best possible chance to win,” James said.

The lack of rim protection is a much less easier fix. Minnesota had a 56-26 advantage in points in the paint in Game 3, and a Lakers team lacking a true center might well be moved to take Jaxson Hayes out of the starting lineup. He had a minus-13 rating in just 9 minutes of play on Friday.

“We'll look at everything,” Redick said, “but I still believe in Jaxson.”

When/Where to Watch: Game 4, 7 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Celtics lead 2-1.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Celtics by 7.5.

What to Know: Boston is not at full strength even with Tatum back, after Holiday was held out and Jaylen Brown dislocated a finger during Game 3 after being listed as questionable to play with a nagging knee injury. Not coincidentally, this has been an especially bruising series, and the Celtics were upset at the officials after Game 3 for allowing Orlando to get away with too much contact.

Both Brown and Kristaps Porzingis were the targets of painful flagrant fouls.

“Maybe a fight will break out,” Brown said, looking ahead to Game 4. "If you want to fight, we can do that, and see who goes to the second round.”

When/Where to Watch: Game 4, 9:30 p.m. EDT (TNT)

Series: Pacers lead 2-1.

BetMGM Sportsbook: Bucks by 4.5.

What to Know: The Bucks will probably need more production from Lillard to take the series, despite surging past the Pacers with a strong second half in Game 3 while the nine-time All-Star struggled badly while continuing his comeback from an injury — deep vein thrombosis — to his calf.

Lillard went 2 for 12 from the floor, including 1 for 8 from 3-point range.

“I was so proud of him. He’s running on gas. He’s on fumes. You can tell he just doesn’t have any rhythm," coach Doc Rivers said. “You don’t just sit for as long as he’s sitting and walk into an intense playoff game and have rhythm. You just don’t. What I love about him is that he wanted to play anyway. He’s throwing himself into the fire knowing he’s not ready. It says so much about him. I think our team loves it.”

AP Sports Writer Larry Lage in Detroit and AP freelance writers Dick Scanlon in Orlando and Rich Rovito in Milwaukee contributed to this report.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard (0) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward Pascal Siakam, left, during the first half in Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Friday, April 25, 2025, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) drives past Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the first half in game 3 of a first-round NBA playoff basketball series,, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James reacts during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) goes up for a shot as Los Angeles Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt (2) defends during the first half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) looks to pass as Minnesota Timberwolves forward Julius Randle (30) defends during the second half of Game 3 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series, Friday, April 25, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

U.S. President Donald Trump says Iran has proposed negotiations after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic as an ongoing crackdown on demonstrators has led to hundreds of deaths.

Trump said late Sunday that his administration was in talks to set up a meeting with Tehran, but cautioned that he may have to act first as reports mount of increasing deaths and the government continues to arrest protesters.

“The meeting is being set up, but we may have to act because of what’s happening before the meeting. But a meeting is being set up. Iran called, they want to negotiate,” Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday night.

Iran did not acknowledge Trump’s comments immediately. It has previously warned the U.S. military and Israel would be “legitimate targets” if America uses force to protect demonstrators.

The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, which has accurately reported on past unrest in Iran, gave the death toll. It relies on supporters in Iran cross checking information. It said at least 544 people have been killed so far, including 496 protesters and 48 people from the security forces. It said more than 10,600 people also have been detained over the two weeks of protests.

With the internet down in Iran and phone lines cut off, gauging the demonstrations from abroad has grown more difficult. Iran’s government has not offered overall casualty figures.

The Latest:

A witness told the AP that the streets of Tehran empty at the sunset call to prayers each night.

Part of that stems from the fear of getting caught in the crackdown. Police sent the public a text message that warned: “Given the presence of terrorist groups and armed individuals in some gatherings last night and their plans to cause death, and the firm decision to not tolerate any appeasement and to deal decisively with the rioters, families are strongly advised to take care of their youth and teenagers.”

Another text, addressed “Dear parents,” which claimed to come from the intelligence arm of the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, also directly warned people not to take part in demonstrations.

The witness spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity due to the ongoing crackdown.

—- By Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Iran drew tens of thousands of pro-government demonstrators to the streets Monday in a show of power after nationwide protests challenging the country’s theocracy.

Iranian state television showed images of demonstrators thronging Tehran toward Enghelab Square in the capital.

It called the demonstration an “Iranian uprising against American-Zionist terrorism,” without addressing the underlying anger in the country over the nation’s ailing economy. That sparked the protests over two weeks ago.

State television aired images of such demonstrations around the country, trying to signal it had overcome the protests, as claimed by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi earlier in the day.

China says it opposes the use of force in international relations and expressed hope the Iranian government and people are “able to overcome the current difficulties and maintain national stability.”

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday that Beijing “always opposes interference in other countries’ internal affairs, maintains that the sovereignty and security of all countries should be fully protected under international law, and opposes the use or threat of use of force in international relations.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned “in the strongest terms the violence that the leadership in Iran is directing against its own people.”

He said it was a sign of weakness rather than strength, adding that “this violence must end.”

Merz said during a visit to India that the demonstrators deserve “the greatest respect” for the courage with which “they are resisting the disproportional, brutal violence of Iranian security forces.”

He said: “I call on the Iranian leadership to protect its population rather than threatening it.”

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman on Monday suggested that a channel remained open with the United States.

Esmail Baghaei made the comment during a news conference in Tehran.

“It is open and whenever needed, through that channel, the necessary messages are exchanged,” he said.

However, Baghaei said such talks needed to be “based on the acceptance of mutual interests and concerns, not a negotiation that is one-sided, unilateral and based on dictation.”

The semiofficial Fars news agency in Iran, which is close to the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, on Monday began calling out Iranian celebrities and leaders on social media who have expressed support for the protests over the past two weeks, especially before the internet was shut down.

The threat comes as writers and other cultural leaders were targeted even before protests. The news agency highlighted specific celebrities who posted in solidarity with the protesters and scolded them for not condemning vandalism and destruction to public property or the deaths of security forces killed during clashes. The news agency accused those celebrities and leaders of inciting riots by expressing their support.

Canada said it “stands with the brave people of Iran” in a statement on social media that strongly condemned the killing of protesters during widespread protests that have rocked the country over the past two weeks.

“The Iranian regime must halt its horrific repression and intimidation and respect the human rights of its citizens,” Canada’s government said on Monday.

Iran’s foreign minister claimed Monday that “the situation has come under total control” after a bloody crackdown on nationwide protests in the country.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran’s foreign minister alleged Monday that nationwide protests in his nation “turned violent and bloody to give an excuse” for U.S. President Donald Trump to intervene.

Abbas Araghchi offered no evidence for his claim, which comes after over 500 have been reported killed by activists -- the vast majority coming from demonstrators.

Araghchi spoke to foreign diplomats in Tehran. The Qatar-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network, which has been allowed to work despite the internet being cut off in the country, carried his remarks.

Iran has summoned the British ambassador over protesters twice taking down the Iranian flag at their embassy in London.

Iranian state television also said Monday that it complained about “certain terrorist organization that, under the guise of media, spread lies and promote violence and terrorism.” The United Kingdom is home to offices of the BBC’s Persian service and Iran International, both which long have been targeted by Iran.

A huge crowd of demonstrators, some waving the flag of Iran, gathered Sunday afternoon along Veteran Avenue in LA’s Westwood neighborhood to protest against the Iranian government. Police eventually issued a dispersal order, and by early evening only about a hundred protesters were still in the area, ABC7 reported.

Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian community outside of Iran.

Los Angeles police responded Sunday after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with the the demonstrators, causing protesters to scramble out of the way and then run after the speeding vehicle to try to attack the driver. A police statement said one person was hit by the truck but nobody was seriously hurt.

The driver, a man who was not identified, was detained “pending further investigation,” police said in a statement Sunday evening.

Shiite Muslims hold placards and chant slogans during a protest against the U.S. and show solidarity with Iran in Lahore, Pakistan, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/K.M. Chaudary)

Activists carrying a photograph of Reza Pahlavi take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House, in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Activists take part in a rally supporting protesters in Iran at Lafayette Park, across from the White House in Washington, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Protesters burn the Iranian national flag during a rally in support of the nationwide mass demonstrations in Iran against the government in Paris, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)