NBA5 hours ago2 minute read

Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg criticizes Luka Doncic after debut loss

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg said he lost all respect for Luka Doncic after their opening night matchup.

The EagleEyeOdds deskWritten from the match data, checked against our model before it goes out

Lendeborg calls out Doncic after debut

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg did not hold back after his NBA debut against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Warriors dropped their opening night game 127-105, but Lendeborg made headlines with his candid postgame comments about Lakers superstar Luka Doncic.

Lendeborg stated that he lost all respect for Doncic due to constant complaining and begging for foul calls throughout the contest. The rookie admitted he used to hold Doncic in high regard when watching highlight reels. However, facing him on the floor changed his perspective entirely. Lendeborg called the behavior weak and expressed his frustration with the constant officiating complaints.

Heated exchange on opening night

With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined with injuries, Golden State started Lendeborg on the wing. He became the first Warriors rookie to start on opening night since James Wiseman in 2020. Lendeborg finished with 12 points and four fouls in 29 minutes, holding Doncic to 1 of 6 shooting when guarding him directly.

Tempers flared late in the second quarter after Doncic drew a shooting foul on a pump fake and spoke to the rookie. Lendeborg was briefly subbed out before Kerr sent him back in to guard Doncic. Lendeborg forced a stepback miss with 31 seconds left in the half, but official James Capers called a technical foul on the rookie for yelling at Doncic. Doncic then hit a 48 foot shot off the backboard at the buzzer, giving Los Angeles a 14 point halftime lead on their way to a 35 point cushion.

Kerr and Green back the rookie

Warriors coach Steve Kerr stood up for his rookie after the game. Kerr described the technical foul on Lendeborg as ridiculous and noted that Doncic should have received a technical for taunting after his halfcourt heave.

Draymond Green also threw his support behind Lendeborg. Green praised the rookie for standing his ground against an established star and encouraged him to attack Doncic again during their next matchup on Oct. 30 in San Francisco.

What it means for the next game

* Memphis Grizzlies at Golden State Warriors (NBA, Sat, 24 Oct): Golden State Warriors win 55%, Memphis Grizzlies win 45%; projected score Golden State Warriors 120, Memphis Grizzlies 116. Our safest pick: Warriors +4.5.

* LA Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers (NBA, Sat, 24 Oct): Los Angeles Lakers win 76%, LA Clippers win 24%; projected score Los Angeles Lakers 118, LA Clippers 110. Our safest pick: Lakers to win.