In the aftermath of a 127-105 opening-night loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg said he "lost all respect" for Lakers superstar Luka Doncic because of the way Doncic complains for foul calls.
Lendeborg started on the wing in his professional debut after Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody were sidelined by injury, and he spent much of the game defending Doncic. He held Doncic to 1-of-6 shooting as the primary defender, according to ESPN tracking stats, but the Lakers offense still scored 32, 34 and 36 points in the first three quarters to build a 35-point lead.
Tempers flared late in the second quarter after several physical possessions. Doncic pump-faked Lendeborg into a shooting foul and voiced his displeasure after the whistle. Lendeborg was heard calling Doncic's move "weak ass s---" as officials and players separated them. Warriors coach Steve Kerr briefly sat Lendeborg, then sent him back in to guard Doncic, and the exchange escalated. Official James Capers called a technical on Lendeborg, who admitted he had told Doncic he "sucks" and used a few cuss words.
Doncic had the last word before halftime, hitting a 48-foot half-court heave off the backboard that pushed the Lakers' lead to 14, then pointed and laughed at Lendeborg. Kerr said the single technical seemed ridiculous and that Doncic's shot should have drawn one too.
Lendeborg, who scored 12 points in 29 minutes and picked up four fouls, became the first rookie since James Wiseman in 2020 to start for the Warriors on opening night. Teammate Draymond Green said he had no problem with Lendeborg going after Doncic.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing