In a strong rookie class, Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg is making the case that he is the best of the bunch.
The start of Lendeborg’s season has been tremendous, sliding right into the Warriors rotation. In fact, Lendeborg is already one of the Warriors’ best and most important players next to franchise legend Steph Curry.
With Curry out on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers, the Warriors needed someone to step up and take control of the offense. Lendeborg was up for the challenge, scoring points at a rate that no Warriors rookie has done since Curry himself.
If Lendeborg can keep this up, he radically changes the expectations for the Warriors this season and in the future, with the rest of the roster aging. Here’s why Lendeborg was so impressive on Sunday.
MORE: Why the Grizzlies are the last unbeaten team remaining
Yaxel Lendeborg stats vs. Clippers
- MIN: 34
- PTS: 37
- REB: 4
- AST: 6
- FGM/FGA: 13/19
- 3PM/3PA: 6/11
- FTM/FTA: 5/6
Lendeborg’s 37 points on Sunday are the most by a Warriors rookie since Steph Curry during the 2009-10 season. Curry surpassed 37 points just once in his rookie season, as the point guard totaled 42 points during Golden State’s final game of the season.
Yaxel Lendeborg in win vs. Clippers: 37 PTS 6 AST 4 REB 13-19 FG 6-11 3PT Most points in a game by a Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry in 2010. https://t.co/rSIyjqIEmW
— Underdog NBA (@UnderdogNBA) November 2, 2026
Lendeborg has been a revelation for the Warriors, giving the franchise much-needed young upside to go along with the twilight years of Curry’s career. Curry didn’t even play on Sunday due to rest, but it didn’t matter as Lendeborg took the game over to beat the Clippers.
After the game, head coach Steve Kerr was very complimentary of Lendeborg’s early play.
“He’s playing this way and he really doesn’t know the NBA game yet,” Kerr said. “He’s going to get a lot better.”
With Jimmy Butler still recovering from a torn ACL, Lendeborg is finding a spot as the No. 2 option in the offense when Curry is healthy. Once Butler is back, though, Lendeborg’s emergence could be the key to keeping both Butler and Curry fresh for the playoffs.
MORE:
