Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr was full of praise for Yaxel Lendeborg after the rookie poured in 31 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists in the team's first win of the season.
"He's strong as an ox and skilled, and the way the game is played, he's gonna be able to get to the (free-throw) line a ton," Kerr told reporters following Monday's 134-114 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
"You saw it tonight. Basically, in all the critical moments of the game, we just put the ball in his hands. For a rookie to be that advanced already, it's extremely rare."
Golden State selected Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in this year's draft. The Michigan product has started all four games with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody sidelined to start the campaign.
Lendeborg's 87 points through his first four appearances are the most by a Warriors rookie since Wilt Chamberlain in 1959.
The 24-year-old is also the first rookie in franchise history to tally at least 30 points, 10 boards, and five assists in a single contest since Stephen Curry did so in 2010.
Yaxel Lendeborg put on a SHOW last night 👏 🏀 31 PTS (career-high) 🏀 12 REB (game-high) 🏀 6 AST He became the first @warriors rookie since Steph Curry (2/10/2010) to record 30+ PTS, 10+ REB, and 5+ AST in a single game! https://t.co/3Lkqvw6dny
— NBA (@NBA) October 27, 2026
Lendeborg made 12-of-13 attempts from the charity stripe against the Nuggets. He ranks seventh in the Association with 31 free-throw attempts.
"He's able to impose his will on the game," Warriors forward Draymond Green said postgame, per ESPN's Anthony Slater. "I don't care what age you are - it's the NBA."
