Warriors’ Steve Kerr doesn’t hold back on Yaxel Lendeborg, Luka Doncic appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After a productive offseason, Yaxel Lendeborg made his debut for the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday. His first task? Try to stop Luka Doncic.
It was an unenviable assignment for the rookie forward. But it was also a good test. Unfortunately for Lendeborg, he did not study enough, and Doncic made him pay for it.
The Los Angeles Lakers blew out the Warriors, 127-105, at Crypto.com Arena. Lendeborg had 12 points, three rebounds, and two assists in 29 minutes. He was whistled for a technical foul for talking trash to Luka Doncic in the second quarter.
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In the postgame interview, coach Steve Kerr pointed out the 24-year-old Lendeborg’s learning curve.
“This was a great welcome-to-the-NBA game for him. Having to guard Luka, who is as tough to guard as anybody in the world. Having to learn all the little tricks that exist in the NBA. He had three fouls that probably wouldn’t be fouls in any other league in the world. But it’s the NBA. He’s gotta learn this stuff,” said Kerr in the video posted by The Athletic’s Anthony Slater.
“It’s his first game. He’s an unbelievable young guy, great talent. It was a frustrating night for him, but a lesson well learned, and he’ll get better from here.”
Steve Kerr on Yaxel Lendeborg guarding Luka Doncic in his debut: “He had three fouls that probably wouldn’t be fouls in any other league in the world. But it’s the NBA. He’s gotta learn this stuff.”
Kerr didn’t like the technical on Yaxel and not Luka also: “Kind of ridiculous.” pic.twitter.com/SM87XvVY9Y
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) October 22, 2026
Kerr, who has steered the Warriors to four titles, added that guarding Doncic was “not an easy way to start your career,” although he claimed that the six-time All-NBA got off easily during his verbal spat with Lendeborg.
“He (Doncic) kind of lured him (Lendeborg) in a little bit. I thought the single technical was kind of ridiculous. They were jawing at each other. I think it was the words Yaxel chose that got him the T, but then Luka made a half-court shot and got in his face. That should be a tech. Should’ve been a double tech. That feels good, the rookie treatment,” said Kerr with a chuckle.
The Warriors will battle the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.
Related: Warriors’ Draymond Green weighs in on Yaxel Lendeborg-Luka Doncic flare-up
Related: Lakers’ Luka Doncic sounds off on making Yaxel Lendeborg pay for trash talk
