Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has made a historic start to his NBA career, averaging 22.6 points, 9.6 rebounds and 4.0 assists through his first five games. The No. 11 overall pick became the first Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry to score at least 25 points in three consecutive games, and the first rookie in nearly 70 years to record at least 100 points, 45 rebounds and 20 assists in his first five games.
His 113 total points are the third-most this century through five games, trailing only Kevin Durant and Paolo Banchero. Lendeborg joins Larry Bird as the only players in NBA history with at least 100 points, 40 rebounds and 20 assists in their first five career games. He also became the first Warriors rookie since Curry in 2010 to post a 30-point, 10-rebound, 5-assist game, achieving 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists against Denver.
Kerr's Trust and Maturity
Head coach Steve Kerr called Lendeborg "100% the most pro-ready rookie I've ever coached," trusting him with the ball in critical moments. The Warriors' offense carries a top-five rating during his minutes, per Cleaning the Glass. Kerr has noted areas for improvement, including weak-side defensive focus and decision-making on drives, but values Lendeborg's willingness to learn.
The 23-year-old's maturity stems from a non-traditional path: six years in college starting at junior college, and a stint working a warehouse job alongside his mother before focusing on basketball. Lendeborg actively seeks advice from veterans such as Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony and Tracy McGrady, and has described his own performances self-critically, calling a 26-point, nine-rebound outing "hella soft" due to seven turnovers.
Versatile Skill Set
Lendeborg displays a comprehensive package: elite positional size at 6-foot-9, 250 pounds; floor spacing (8-of-12 on spot-up threes per Synergy); transition scoring; one-on-one creation; pick-and-roll initiation; rebounding; and physical defense. Draymond Green encourages him to attack through defenders, while Kerr urges more patience and creativity around the rim.
Franchise Implications
The emergence of Lendeborg could alter Golden State's short-term trajectory. After a series of draft misses — Jacob Evans (2018), James Wiseman (2020), Jonathan Kuminga (2021) — the Warriors appear to have a home-run pick. Analysts such as Bill Simmons suggest Lendeborg "might have single-handedly saved the Steph era," prompting speculation about potential win-now trades involving expiring contracts like Draymond Green's or assets such as Kristaps Porzingis. However, any move would require trading draft picks, including the No. 11 selection used on Lendeborg.
