Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg records 31 points, 12 rebounds and 6 assists in fourth NBA game
In his fourth career appearance, Yaxel Lendeborg posted 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists, becoming the third Warriors rookie to achieve such a stat line and joining a select group that includes Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.
Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg posted a 31-point, 12-rebound, six-assist performance on Monday night against the Denver Nuggets, helping the Warriors secure their first win of the 2026-27 season. The scoring total was the most by a Warriors rookie since Eric Paschall’s 34 points in 2019, and Lendeborg became only the third rookie in franchise history to record at least 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a single game, joining Rick Barry and Wilt Chamberlain.
Lendeborg also converted 12 of his 13 free-throw attempts, matching a feat last achieved by Stephen Curry in 2010, and his 87 points through four games rank second among Warriors rookies for that span, behind Chamberlain’s 150. He recorded the first multiple double-doubles by a Warriors rookie in their first four games since Barry in 1965, a milestone shared by seven players in franchise history, four of whom are Hall of Famers.
After the game, Lendeborg appeared on an NBC Sports panel with former players Carmelo Anthony, Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. He acknowledged early-season nerves, saying, "> I definitely thought I was going to wet the bed for the first half of the season," and described his off-ball defense as "lackluster." He asked the panel for advice, receiving comments such as Carter’s suggestion to "utilize his youth" and Anthony’s recommendation to "get ahead of the film game."
Warriors coach Steve Kerr and teammates, including Stephen Curry, have praised Lendeborg’s composure and willingness to ask questions. Curry noted, "> The last two, I count BP as the other one, them two have been very curious… There’s no such thing as a dumb question when you’re trying to figure it out and you care."
Lendeborg expressed appreciation for the coaching staff’s guidance, stating, "> It’s definitely going to be trial and error for me… I just really appreciate him [Kerr] for continuing to talk to me, have patience with me. He’s not screaming at me, he’s talking to me like a human."
The rookie’s early statistical output and openness to veteran advice suggest a promising start to his NBA career.