Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg delivered a standout performance, scoring 37 points to lead the team to a 124-112 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday. Despite the absence of veteran Stephen Curry, who sat out to manage right knee soreness, and Draymond Green, the Warriors secured their fourth consecutive win. Curry, now a 38-year-old veteran, had averaged 33 points over the past three games, including 44 against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, but missed Sunday’s game to manage his troublesome right knee. With Draymond Green also out, 24-year-old American-Dominican forward Lendeborg was the linchpin of a Warriors attack that has bounced back emphatically from losing its opening three games, after missing out on the last season’s playoffs. According to but he’s so skilled and so talented that he’s making all kinds of plays out there,”, Kerr. “I think he’s going to get a lot better … But it’s remarkable the impact he’s making on these games in the first couple weeks of the season.”.
Selected 11th overall in the 2026 NBA draft, the 24-year-old Lendeborg achieved a career-best point tally while adding six assists and four rebounds.
His 37-point contribution stands as the highest by a Warriors rookie in a single game since Curry scored 42 in 2010.
Reflecting on his playstyle, Lendeborg remarked that he tries to keep his joy on the court, occasionally adding moves similar to Curry.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised the rookie’s immediate impact, noting that while the NBA game is still fast for him, his skill set allows him to be remarkably effective. Kerr emphasized that Lendeborg is expected to continue improving as the season progresses. “I’m gonna just continue to try to keep playing with a smile on my face. According to maybe throw little dance moves like Steph in once in a while, but I’m gonna just keep trying to find my joy,”, Lendeborg.
Across the league, Luka Doncic led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 131-125 win against the Toronto Raptors with 45 points and 15 rebounds. Although the Lakers maintained an early lead, a late surge by the Raptors forced coach JJ Redick to re-enter his starters during the final minute to secure the result. Even as the Raptors rallied from a 26-point deficit to create a few late nerves in Los Angeles, the Lakers took the lead early in the first quarter and never surrendered it.
The Boston Celtics extended their winning streak to five games by defeating the Orlando Magic 108-97. Jayson Tatum paced the Celtics with 32 points and seven assists. Despite a defensive lapse in the third quarter that allowed the Magic to close the gap, Boston relied on 18 forced turnovers to pull away. Paul George contributed 17 points, eight assists, two steals, and two blocks in the effort. Forcing 18 turnovers for 21 points to pull clear again down the stretch, but Boston’s defence stayed resolute.
In Brooklyn, the Nets finally claimed their first win of the season, overcoming the Indiana Pacers 98-90. Michael Porter Jr. spearheaded the victory with 23 points and nine rebounds, moving the Nets to a 1-5 record. This result leaves the Sacramento Kings as the only winless team in the NBA with a 0-6 standing.
Additionally, the league announced a one-game suspension for Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings. Flemings was penalized for intentionally elbowing New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head during Saturday’s 121-99 loss, an incident that resulted in his ejection from the game.
