The Lakers (4-1) are kicking off their NBA Cup title quest Friday against the Golden State Warriors (2-3), and man, does it feel like there is some real beef bubbling up already. It has been only a week since these two faced off in the season opener, but the drama is back under the spotlight for the first day of the NBA Cup. And oh, Yaxel Lendeborg has not stopped talking about Luka Dončić. Seriously, it feels like a new quote from the Warriors’ rookie about Luka drops every single day.
Rookie Lendeborg Is Calling Out Luka Dončić
We’ve all seen how quickly things change in the league. It used to be LeBron James versus Stephen Curry headlining these matchups, but now it is Dončić going head to head with the rookie from Michigan. It is a wild shift for a rivalry that has lost some of its edge over the past few seasons. But Lendeborg is doing his best to bring the fire back, talking trash non-stop. When asked if he is looking forward to the Lakers game on Friday, Lendeborg was clear, “Absolutely. Absolutely. Yes, I am. I’ll talk about that on Friday.” You have to love the confidence, right? It might be just the spark the NBA Cup needs to add some much needed juice to this early regular season matchup.
NBA Cup Stakes And The Warriors’ Momentum Shift
This is not just another game, folks. Both the Lakers and Warriors are in West Group C for the group stage of the NBA Cup, sharing it with the Spurs, Blazers, and Kings. These teams will all play each other over the next month, and the squad at the top of Group C advances to the knockout round. Plus, there is a wild card spot available for the best second place finisher in the conference. The Lakers have not exactly shined in the NBA Cup over the last two years, so seeing them go deep this season would be a welcome change. That extra money for winning these games? You know it is a motivator.
After dominating the Warriors in the season opener, the Lakers have kept building momentum, rolling to a 4-1 record. But do not sleep on the Warriors. They have been a bit up and down, sure, but they are coming into this rematch on a two-game winning streak. Golden State has really benefited from Lendeborg’s early success, and on top of that, Stephen Curry is still one of the most dangerous players in the game. He just dropped a massive 44 points in their recent victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers’ defense is going to have to be absolutely dialed in to stop him and this surging Warriors team.
What Is Next For The Lakers And Warriors
The Lakers and Warriors are set to face off at 7 p.m. PT on Friday, October 30, at Chase Center. You can catch all the action on Prime Video. This is a huge game for both teams in the NBA Cup group stage, not to mention for bragging rights. With Lendeborg’s constant chatter and Curry’s recent scoring outburst, expect an even more thrilling rematch than the season opener. Can the Lakers keep their momentum, or will the Warriors’ recent winning streak and Curry’s fire power be too much? Get ready, because Friday night is going to be wild!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Silver Screen and Roll.
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