Warriors Rookie Lendeborg Sets Scoring Record

Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg scored 37 points on Sunday night, becoming the highest-scoring rookie in franchise history since Stephen Curry.

The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic made 13 of 19 shots, including six three-pointers, in a 124-112 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. This performance marks a sharp departure from his collegiate career, where he reached the 30-point milestone only once in 112 games at UAB and Michigan.

Lendeborg's path to the NBA involved a shift in his shooting volume. At the University of Alabama at Birmingham, he averaged one three-point attempt per game. Upon joining Michigan for the 2024-25 season, assistant coach Mike Boynton encouraged him to increase his range. By the end of that year, Lendeborg attempted 4.5 three-pointers per game and shot 37% from deep, culminating in a national championship.

The Warriors have relied heavily on Lendeborg since Jimmy Butler tore an ACL in January. Head coach Steve Kerr noted that Lendeborg's readiness to assume a primary scoring role was unexpected. Kerr said he saw the skill during June workouts but was surprised by the level of execution displayed in the recent games.

The team rested Stephen Curry and Draymond Green on Sunday to prepare for a Monday matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Lendeborg embraced the expanded role, stating that he views Curry's absence as an opportunity to lead the offense. He made four of his six three-pointers off the dribble, a move he rarely attempted in college.

The game's conclusion offered a lesson in NBA pacing. With the Warriors leading comfortably, teammates De'Anthony Melton and Will Richard urged Lendeborg to chase a 40-point game. Lendeborg attempted three difficult three-pointers and missed all of them, allowing the Clippers to trim the lead to eight points. Kerr called a timeout and substituted Lendeborg out, citing the volatility of modern basketball scoring.

Lendeborg acknowledged the pressure of the moment, describing himself as a player who prefers "ethical hoops" rather than chasing statistics. He admitted that falling into peer pressure for the final few minutes was a mistake. He vowed to avoid such situations in the future.

In his first seven professional games, Lendeborg has scored in double figures every night, with totals of 26, 26, 31, and 37 points. He currently averages 22.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists. The Warriors have won their last four games, turning an 0-3 start into a competitive campaign. Kerr credited Lendeborg's scoring with the team's high offensive output in Curry's absence.