Yaxel Lendeborg started a verbal sparring match with Luka Dončić, basically calling the Lakers superstar a flopping crybaby, and both Stephen Curry and Steve Kerr told their rookie point blank, “Now you’ve got to back it up.” What actually went down Friday night was a total disaster for Lendeborg, who put up the worst track of his young career, but somehow, some way, the Warriors still flipped a 25-point first-half lead into a 112-95 comeback win over the Lakers.
Luka Dončić Owned the Early Drama
Listen, you talk that talk, you gotta walk that walk, right? Well, Lendeborg, fresh off basically telling the world he lost all respect for Dončić, was a ghost out there. We’re talking six points, a single rebound, zero assists, five turnovers, and a game-low minus-20 in just 24 minutes before he fouled out. The dude was invisible, couldn’t get a factor on either end, and for a guy who’s supposed to inject juice into this Warriors team, he looked lifeless. Meanwhile, Dončić? He was soaking it all in, egging on the “Luka sucks!” chants from the Chase Center crowd, and then just absolutely pouring it on. Twenty-one first-quarter points alone, outscoring the entire Warriors squad by himself in that frame. He ended up with 37 points for the game, adding seven rebounds, five assists, a pair of blocks, and a steal for good measure. The Lakers built a 25-point lead in the first half, and it felt like this one was over, plain and simple.
Steph Curry Said ‘Hold My Beer’
Anyone watching that first half had to think the Lakers were running away with it. But this is the NBA, and a 20-point lead in today’s game is basically just setting up the second-half plot twist. And boy, did we get one. Stephen Curry, the greatest shooter to ever step on a court, decided it was his time. He dropped eight massive 3-pointers and put up 31 points himself, leading the charge as the Warriors stormed back. It wasn’t just Curry, though he passed Dominique Wilkins for 18th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, which is just insane. Brandin Podziemski stepped up huge with 21 points, six assists, and five rebounds. De’Anthony Melton and Georges Niang combined for 27 points and seven more 3-pointers. This team just went on a tear, flipping that massive deficit and winning going away, 112-95.
So yeah, Lendeborg might not have backed up his talk on the court against Dončić, but his teammates, especially Curry, had his back big time. This comeback win is the Warriors’ third straight victory after a brutal 0-3 start to the season. They are now 3-3, and that kind of fight after being down 25 points? That shows you everything you need to know about the heart of this squad. What a turnaround, and man, this early NBA Cup group stage is already delivering some wild games!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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