Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg exploded for 37 points as the Golden State Warriors managed to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 124-112 on Sunday, even with Stephen Curry sidelined. This kid, picked 11th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, just racked up the highest points tally of his career, and it was a statement win for a Warriors squad that’s now won four straight after starting 0-3. Talk about bouncing back from missing out on last season’s playoffs!
Lendeborg is Stepping Up Big Time for the Warriors
Seriously, 37 points? That’s not all. Lendeborg also dished out six assists and grabbed four rebounds, basically putting the team on his back. And get this: his 37 points are the most by a Warriors rookie in a single game since none other than Stephen Curry himself had 42 way back in 2010. Curry, who’s a 38-year-old veteran now, had been averaging 33 points over the past three games, including a 44-point bomb against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. But he had to sit out Sunday’s game to manage that troublesome right knee. With Draymond Green also out, Lendeborg, the 24-year-old American-Dominican forward, was the absolute linchpin of their attack. The guy is playing with pure joy, too. Lendeborg even said, “I’m gonna just continue to try to keep playing with a smile on my face. Maybe throw little dance moves like Steph in once in a while, but I’m gonna just keep trying to find my joy.” You gotta love that energy.
Kerr’s Praise and What It Means for the League
Coach Steve Kerr was absolutely raving about Lendeborg’s quick adaptation to the NBA. Kerr knows the kid is still learning, saying, “He’s playing this way and he really doesn’t know the NBA game yet… The game is still really fast for him. But he’s so skilled and so talented that he’s making all kinds of plays out there.” He added, “I think he’s going to get a lot better… But it’s remarkable the impact he’s making on these games in the first couple weeks of the season.” That’s high praise, and it shows Lendeborg is quickly becoming a serious force.
Around the league on Sunday, there was plenty more action. Luka Doncic went off for 45 points and 15 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Toronto Raptors 131-125. The Lakers held the lead the whole game, even after the Raptors clawed back from a 26-point hole and made things a little sweaty at the end. Toronto’s Jamison Battle scored 15 points in the fourth, forcing Lakers coach JJ Redick to throw his starters back in during the final minute just to seal the win. Over in Boston, the Celtics snagged their fifth straight win, topping the Orlando Magic 108-97. Jayson Tatum led the scoring with 32 points and seven assists. Boston’s shooting got a little shaky, letting a 15-point lead vanish in the third, but their defense came through, forcing 18 turnovers for 21 points to pull away. Paul George had a solid all-around game with 17 points, eight assists, two steals, and two blocked shots. The Brooklyn Nets finally got on the board with their first win of the season, beating the Indiana Pacers 98-90. Michael Porter Jr led the Nets with 23 points and nine rebounds, bringing Brooklyn to 1-5. That leaves the 0-6 Sacramento Kings as the only winless team left in the NBA. Also, the NBA hit Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings with a one-game suspension without pay for intentionally elbowing New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head during Saturday’s game. Flemings was ejected for it.
The Warriors, now at 4-3, have clearly found a spark. With Lendeborg playing like this, even when Curry and Green are out, the team is showing they have serious depth. This early season momentum, driven by a rookie phenom, could be a real game-changer for their entire year.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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