Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg's Rapid Rise Impresses Warriors Coach Steve Kerr

In just his first four NBA games, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has faced off against established stars like Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic. His immediate impact has drawn praise from Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr, who described Lendeborg's performance as "extremely rare."

Following the Warriors' road victory against the Denver Nuggets, their first since 2022, Kerr highlighted Lendeborg's advanced understanding of the game, especially considering his late start to basketball. "I don’t care what age you are, it’s the NBA. If you don’t know the NBA game, you’re already at a deficit. He don’t know the game,” Kerr said, as quoted by the New York Post. “Not that he don’t know the game of basketball — he don’t know the NBA. And to be able to have the ability to go out there and still do that, not knowing what the NBA really, truly brings on a nightly basis is special. … I think he’s a special player."

Lendeborg, who reportedly only began taking basketball seriously after high school, posted an impressive stat line in the Warriors' 134-114 win over the Nuggets: 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in 31 minutes, with a plus-27 rating. Kerr noted that the ball was frequently placed in Lendeborg's hands during critical moments of the game. "For a rookie to be that advanced already, it’s extremely rare. But it’s exciting because I think he’s gonna get a lot better, too."

His early-career achievements place him in rare company. Only two other players in Warriors history, Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain, have recorded a game like Lendeborg's in their rookie seasons. Furthermore, in terms of combined points and rebounds in their first four games, Lendeborg is one of only four rookies in the lottery era to achieve at least 85 points and 35 rebounds, joining the ranks of Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, and Shaquille O'Neal.

Teammate Stephen Curry described Lendeborg as "kind of the full package," emphasizing his composure, feel for the game, and ability to create matchup problems without appearing rushed. "He's just got composure and feel. He's a matchup problem, but he's never really in a hurry," Curry said.

During the game against the Nuggets, Lendeborg was a dominant force, using his size to drive to the basket and drawing 13 free throws, of which he made 12. He also contributed a key alley-oop dunk assisted by De'Anthony Melton. Despite a challenging night from beyond the arc, where he made only one of eight attempts, Lendeborg expressed relief at securing the team's first win and stated that he is "never a stat-padder."