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Warriors Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg Loses Respect for Luka Doncic After Heated Lakers Clash

Posted : 22 October 2026

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has strongly criticised Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic following a heated encounter during his NBA debut.

Speaking after the Warriors' 127-105 defeat on opening night, Lendeborg said he had lost respect for the Slovenian guard because of his frequent complaints to officials and attempts to draw fouls.

The rookie admitted that he had previously admired Doncic's scoring ability but said watching him compete up close had changed his opinion.

Lendeborg was handed a starting role because of injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, and he spent significant time defending Doncic.

Although the Lakers dominated offensively, ESPN's defensive tracking data indicated that Doncic struggled to score when Lendeborg was his primary defender.

The matchup became increasingly tense in the second quarter, when Doncic drew a shooting foul with a pump fake and exchanged words with the rookie afterwards.

The disagreement escalated when Lendeborg received a technical foul for his comments towards Doncic. The Lakers star later responded with a spectacular half-court shot at the halftime buzzer, then pointed towards the rookie as he celebrated.

Doncic finished with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Lendeborg contributed 12 points in 29 minutes during his first NBA appearance.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr questioned why the officials penalised Lendeborg without issuing a similar punishment to Doncic, arguing that both players had been involved in the verbal exchange. Veteran forward Draymond Green also backed his young teammate's willingness to challenge established stars, suggesting that rookies should not be intimidated by reputations around the league.

Despite the confrontation, Lendeborg's debut showcased his confidence and willingness to compete against elite opposition.

However, the Lakers controlled the game and secured a convincing 127-105 victory, giving Doncic the final say on the scoreboard. The teams are scheduled to meet again on October 30 in San Francisco, setting up another opportunity for the developing rivalry to continue.

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