In back-to-back preseason games, Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg showed promise by scoring 17 points and grabbing nine rebounds in a win over the Lakers. The 24-year-old forward's performance could secure him significant playing time this season due to injuries limiting other key players like Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingis. Additionally, the article highlights the depth of the Warriors' bench with multiple players contributing double-digit scores and emphasizes that some players fighting for roster spots struggled in their absence from a game against the Trail Blazers.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
In June, the Golden State Warriors selected Michigan standout Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the NBA draft. During the summer league, Lendeborg led the Warriors to a title against the Grizzlies, earning MVP honors after posting 21 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals in the championship game. In Tuesday's preseason exhibition game against the Lakers, he impressed again with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and one block.
Lendeborg has noted that NBA players tend to be more "lazy" at getting rebounds compared to his college counterparts. He attributes this to having clear shots at rebounding without competition, suggesting a promising future in the glasswork department for the Warriors who will start the season missing key players like Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
The rookie’s performances have raised excitement within the organization as he meets expectations early on, indicating potential for significant contributions right away.
Written for “Warriors Rookie Criticisms” on 2026-10-09,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
The Warriors had back-to-back exhibition games on Tuesday against the Lakers and Wednesday against the Trail Blazers.
asserted
Warriors → have → Blazers
1. Yaxel Lendeborg has arrived
asserted
Lendeborg → arrive → ?
The Warriors’ 11th pick in the NBA draft looks ready to contribute, which is music to Golden State’s ears considering it will be without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for the first few months of the season and Kristaps Porzingis indefinitely.
asserted
it → look → season
Lendeborg had 17 points in the first half on 7-for-11 shooting from the field, including going 2-for-3 from deep in the Warriors’ 124-98 win over the Lakers.
asserted
Lendeborg → have → Lakers
He also had nine rebounds for his second straight preseason game.
asserted
He → have → game
The Warriors are going to need the 6-foot-9 Lendeborg to make an immediate impact as a scorer and rebounder.
asserted
Lendeborg → go → scorer
That’s why they drafted the 24-year-old forward.
asserted
they → ’ → forward
He appeared NBA ready.
asserted
He → appear → ?
So far, he has lived up to those expectations.
asserted
he → live → expectations
He led the Warriors to a championship in Las Vegas in summer league play while winning the MVP Award.
asserted
He → lead → Award
And he has delivered in the team’s exhibition games, making a strong case for him to get some big NBA minutes as a rookie.
asserted
him → deliver → rookie
The Warriors could have some depth
uncertain
Warriors → have → depth
Steph Curry looked good against the Lakers, finishing with 16 points in 14 minutes.
asserted
Curry → look → minutes
Draymond Green looked sharp, finishing with eight assists, three points, two rebounds and one steal in 15 minutes.
asserted
Green → look → minutes
But what was most impressive is that the Warriors won handily with their star players hardly playing.
asserted
players → win → ?
Four players scored in double figures, including Curry, Lendeborg, Brandin Podziemski and Brandon Williams.
asserted
players → score → Curry
The Warriors finished with 44 rebounds, 32 assists and only 10 turnovers.
asserted
Warriors → finish → rebounds
It’s only preseason, so you can’t read too much into any of this.
asserted
you → ’ → this
But if Butler looks good when he returns from his torn ACL in a few months, maybe the Warriors will be better than everyone thinks.
3.
asserted
everyone → look → months
The guys fighting for roster spots were put on blast
Nine players didn’t travel to Portland for the Warriors game against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, including Curry, Green, Al Horford, Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, Gui Santos, Georges Niang and Lendeborg.
asserted
players → fight → Curry
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers fielded what could be their starting lineup in Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.
uncertain
what → field → Avdija
The Warriors put up a fight in their 123-118 loss, with a few guys making notable contributions.
asserted
guys → put → contributions
Dalen Terry nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points (9-for-18 from the field, 4-for-5 from 3), eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals in 43 minutes.
asserted
Terry → record → minutes
He’s on an Exhibit 9 contract and is trying to earn a roster spot.
asserted
He → ’ → spot
Miles Kelly, who is eligible for a two-way contract, added 24 points (8-for-16 from the field, 6-for-11 from 3), seven rebounds and six assists in 28 minutes.
asserted
who → add → minutes
On the other side of the spectrum, two-way player Malevy Leons struggled, finishing with as many turnovers as made shots (two).
asserted
Leons → struggle → shots
The Aporia
