Yaxel Lendeborg didn’t wait long to make noise in the NBA, and his opening week has already turned into one of the league’s earliest talking points.
The Golden State Warriors rookie, taken No. 11 overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, has given a franchise hungry for attention exactly that. On opening night against the Los Angeles Lakers, he went straight at Luka Doncic, mixing physical defense, offensive tricks, and plenty of back-and-forth as the two traded words. Lendeborg also picked up a technical foul after refusing to back down, and he finished with 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and one steal on 5-of-11 shooting in 29 minutes.
What really set off the reaction, though, came after the game.
"I had a lot of respect for him [Luka Doncic] ... but being in there first hand, watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect for him."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 22, 2026
Yaxel Lendeborg on Luka Doncic 👀
(via @anthonyVslater) pic.twitter.com/bwJr82ppwe
“I had a lot of respect for him [Luka Doncic],” Lendeborg said. “I didn't really watch the NBA, I just watched highlights, seeing him kill people all the time. But then being in there first hand in there firsthand, watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect for him.”
That line spread fast, and the response split just as quickly. Some people blasted the rookie for sounding like a veteran after one game, while others welcomed the bluntness.
Yaxel Lendeborg finished tonight's game with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists.
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) October 27, 2026
Per @Stathead, Lendeborg is the 2nd rookie in NBA history to record 30-12-6 in under 31 minutes of play.
The only other rookie to do so was Victor Wembanyama who did it in March 2024. pic.twitter.com/Kbqe8wwXU6
Doncic remains one of the league’s most dangerous scorers, someone who can pile up 40-point games and even 50-point explosions at any time. Still, his defense has been a sticking point, and the source material points to his tendency to complain to officials when he’s pressured by strong defense rather than getting back on the other end.
Now the matchup gets a second chapter. The Lakers and Warriors meet again on Friday night, and both players are coming in with more fuel. Since opening night, Doncic put up 52 points in a win over the Utah Jazz.
Lendeborg answered with a night that carved out a place in the record book. In a win against the Denver Nuggets, he posted 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists, becoming only the second rookie in NBA history to hit that stat line in under 31 minutes. The only other player to do it was Victor Wembanyama.
Friday’s game is set for 7PM PST on Prime Video.
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That kind of performance changes the conversation around what Golden State should be chasing next. The Warriors are still exploring trade possibilities, including Kristaps Porzingis, but the bigger question may be whether they want a center who brings more upside and trust than the current bench options. Yves Missi of the New Orleans Pelicans has emerged as a reported target, and the appeal is obvious: if Green can keep covering for the present, the Warriors can afford to be more selective about the future. [Read more 🡒]