Yaxel Lendeborg is precisely who the Warriors wanted.
They didn’t get Giannis Antetokounmpo. They didn’t get LeBron James. Their offseason was extensively seen as underwhelming.
But Lendeborg has surpassed expectations and is serving to prop the window open for Steph Curry and Draymond Green to play significant basketball this season.
Golden State Warriors ahead Yaxel Lendeborg (1) dunks against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
The Warriors selected to draft Lendeborg with the No. 11 decide because they wanted someone who could contribute immediately. He had just carried Michigan to an NCAA championship. They hoped the 24-year-old would be NBA-ready.
Their gamble paid off.
Lendeborg is averaging 22 factors on 47.5% capturing, 9.2 rebounds, 4 assists and one steal for the Warriors, who have won two video games in a row to enhance to 2-3 before Friday night time’s recreation against the Lakers.
The 6-foot-9 ahead is the first participant since Shaquille O’Neal to common at least 20 factors and 9 rebounds in his first 5 video games.
He joined Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and O’Neal as the only gamers in the draft lottery period to have at least 85 factors and 35 rebounds in their first 4 video games.
“The Golden State Warriors [have] found the next face of the franchise,” Draymond Green not too long ago said on his podcast, “The Draymond Green Show.”
With Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined for the first few months of the season because of accidents and Kristaps Porzingis out indefinitely because of an undisclosed health-related concern, the Warriors have desperately wanted Lendeborg.
He has answered the call with an early Rookie of the Year marketing campaign, giving Curry a dependable second scorer.
When Butler returns, the Warriors could be a formidable workforce. If they can make the playoffs, a lineup of Curry, Green, Lendeborg and Butler could make some noise.
Lendeborg is expert. He’s unafraid, so much so that he’s keen to trash discuss Luka Doncic and then say that he “lost all respect for him” because of his “whining.” And he’s assembly the second.
Yaxel Lendeborg #1 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis, Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026. NBAE via Getty Images
It’s a large sigh of aid for Curry, who’s turning 39 this season and desires to play aggressive basketball after carrying the Warriors to 4 championships over eight years from 2015-2022 before they failed to advance previous the second spherical of the playoffs the last 4 seasons.
Lendeborg is shortly making a title for himself.
And he’s making issues attention-grabbing for Curry, who scored 44 factors, including a 19-point second quarter, to carry the Warriors to a 119-114 win over the Timberwolves on Wednesday.
Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, proper, confers with head coach Steve Kerr during an NBA basketball recreation in Denver, Monday, Oct. 26, 2026. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
Lendeborg desires to assist make these gorgeous performances matter.
He desires to make certain the league’s modern-day dynasty stays related.
He desires to be Curry’s wingman, particularly after witnessing his magic in individual for the first time.
“I caught myself shaking my head like, wow, a couple times,” Lendeborg advised reporters Wednesday. “But once he got out the game, it’s like this is my opportunity to help him out. Help his [greatness] be worthwhile.”
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