Marcus D. Smith, USA TODAY Fri, October 30, 2026 at 4:54 AM UTC · 4 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Golden State Warriors seem to have landed a gem with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Yaxel Lendeborg has put his name among some of the greatest rookies of all-time with his first-week performance.
After an 0-3 start, the Warriors have won back-to-back games and Lendeborg has filled his role tremendously.
Yes, he's playing alongside a guy named Stephen Curry, who's been unstoppable the past two games − his 44-point night following a perfect shooting night. Still, Curry can't do it alone and with injuries to Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, Golden State needs players to step up. Lendeborg has so far.
The 24-year-old rookie has averaged 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his first five games.
Lendeborg is the first player since Shaquille O'Neal to average at least 20 points and nine rebounds in his first five career games.
His performances include 31 points in the Warriors' first win of the season, which came on the road against the Denver Nuggets . He added 12 rebounds and six assists. He shot 9-of-19.
He's continued to adapt to the NBA game, staying aggressive and getting easy opportunities at the free throw line. The rookie finished 12-of-13 from the charity stripe against Denver.
Lendeborg joined Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and O'Neal as the only players in the draft lottery era (since 1985) to put up at least 85 points and 35 rebounds in their first four career games.
He scored 87 points in his first four games, which is second-most for a player in Warriors history behind Wilt Chamberlain. Lendeborg is ahead of Joe Fulks (78 points in 1946-47); Paul Arizin (73 points in 1950-51); Rick Barry (71 points in 1965-66); and Chris Webber (68 points in 1993-94).
TNT college basketball analyst Ernie Johnson on air before the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Longtime host Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, in a video message posted to his social media channel that the 2026-27 season, which began last week, will be his last with the show. "You know I’ve been hosting 'Inside the NBA' for a long time – this is my 37th year." Johnson said. "I’ve long described it as a 'get to job,' still amazed that I get to do this for a living. As the years have gone by, and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me: 'So how long are you going to keep doing Inside?' Well I want to take a couple of minutes of your time to answer that. "This will be my last season. Totally my decision. It’s just time." Look back at his career. (Mitchell Layton, Getty Images) 2002 photo of Ernie Johnson bobblehead. (LESLIE SMITH,JR., USA TODAY) (L-R) Referee Dick Bavetta, TNT announcer Ernie Johnson and NBA legend Charles Barkley stand at mid-court before the start of the Bavetta/Barkley Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images) NBA on TNT television show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley clown around on the set during halftime show on May 2, 2007 in Atlanta. (Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY) NBA on TNT television show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. L to R: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley at postgame show on May 2, 2007 in Atlanta. (Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY) Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as he speaks with TNT's Ernie Johnson after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 100-92 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Jeff Gross, Getty Images) From left, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Chris Weber, and Charles Barkley on the TNT set at the 2012 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars competition at the Amway Center in Orlando. (Bob Donnan, Imagn Images) Turner sportscaster Ernie Johnson, Jr speaks during the Legends Brunch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on Feb. 16, 2014. (Bob Donnan, Imagn Images) Hosts Ernie Johnson attends a NBA 2K15 Uncensored roundtable discussion at Baruch College on Aug. 19, 2014 in New York City. (Brad Barket) From left, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith attend the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015 in New York City. (Theo Wargo, Getty Images for Turner) From left, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley appear on stage during the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015 in New York City. (Theo Wargo, Getty Images for Turner) TNT's Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson Jr. puts on an iGrow laser-based hair-growth helmet during a live telecast of "NBA on TNT" at CES 2017 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Jan. 5, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, featured 3,800 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 165,000 attendees. (Ethan Miller, Getty Images) Television sportscaster Ernie Johnson during practice for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on Mar. 31, 2017. (Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images) LeBron James accepts the MVP award from TNT sportscaster Ernie Johnson Jr. during the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on Feb. 18, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Getty Images) Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson Jr. attend the 2018 NBA Awards Show at Barker Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Allen Berezovsky, Getty Images) Tiger Woods (left) reacts at Phil Mickelson as sportscaster Ernie Johnson looks on during The Match: Tiger vs Phil golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas on Nov. 23, 2018. (Kyle Terada, Imagn Images) TBS announcer Ernie Johnson with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after Team LeBron defeated Team Durant in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Feb. 20, 2022. (David Richard, Imagn Images) TNT commentator Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green after winning game five of the 2022 western conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 26, 2022. (Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images) Ernie Johnson attends the 2023 Beloved Benefit presented by The Same House at Georgia World Congress Center on Aug. 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Derek White, Getty Images) Ernie Johnson speaks onstage during the 2023 Beloved Benefit presented by The Same House at Georgia World Congress Center on Aug.24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Derek White, Getty Images) Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty after their 3-point challenge during the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) Commentator Ernie Johnson on set during Capital One's The Match IX at The Park West Palm on Feb. 26, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Cliff Hawkins, Getty Images for The Match) Shaq’s OGs general manager Shaquille O’Neal and Chuck’s Global Stars general manager Charles Barkley and broadcaster Ernie Johnson during a break in the game against Chuck’s Global Stars during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (Kyle Terada, Imagn Images) Ernie Johnson interviews Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle after game six of the eastern conference finals against the New York Knicks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 31, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images) Ernie Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 3, 2026. (Bob Donnan, Imagn Images) New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (R) celebrates with the Larry O'Brien championship trophy while being interviewed by broadcaster Ernie Johnson (L) after game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on June 13, 2026. (Geoff Burke, Imagn Images) 1 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last TNT college basketball analyst Ernie Johnson on air before the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Longtime host Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, in a video message posted to his social media channel that the 2026-27 season, which began last week, will be his last with the show. "You know I’ve been hosting 'Inside the NBA' for a long time – this is my 37th year." Johnson said. "I’ve long described it as a 'get to job,' still amazed that I get to do this for a living. As the years have gone by, and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me: 'So how long are you going to keep doing Inside?' Well I want to take a couple of minutes of your time to answer that. "This will be my last season. Totally my decision. It’s just time." Look back at his career. (Mitchell Layton, Getty Images) 1 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last TNT college basketball analyst Ernie Johnson on air before the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Longtime host Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, in a video message posted to his social media channel that the 2026-27 season, which began last week, will be his last with the show. "You know I’ve been hosting 'Inside the NBA' for a long time – this is my 37th year." Johnson said. "I’ve long described it as a 'get to job,' still amazed that I get to do this for a living. As the years have gone by, and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me: 'So how long are you going to keep doing Inside?' Well I want to take a couple of minutes of your time to answer that. "This will be my last season. Totally my decision. It’s just time." Look back at his career. (Mitchell Layton, Getty Images) 2 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last 2002 photo of Ernie Johnson bobblehead. (LESLIE SMITH,JR., USA TODAY) 3 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last (L-R) Referee Dick Bavetta, TNT announcer Ernie Johnson and NBA legend Charles Barkley stand at mid-court before the start of the Bavetta/Barkley Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images) 4 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last NBA on TNT television show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley clown around on the set during halftime show on May 2, 2007 in Atlanta. (Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY) 5 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last NBA on TNT television show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. L to R: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley at postgame show on May 2, 2007 in Atlanta. (Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY) 6 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as he speaks with TNT's Ernie Johnson after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 100-92 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. (Jeff Gross, Getty Images) 7 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last From left, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Chris Weber, and Charles Barkley on the TNT set at the 2012 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars competition at the Amway Center in Orlando. (Bob Donnan, Imagn Images) 8 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Turner sportscaster Ernie Johnson, Jr speaks during the Legends Brunch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on Feb. 16, 2014. (Bob Donnan, Imagn Images) 9 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Hosts Ernie Johnson attends a NBA 2K15 Uncensored roundtable discussion at Baruch College on Aug. 19, 2014 in New York City. (Brad Barket) 10 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last From left, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kenny Smith attend the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015 in New York City. (Theo Wargo, Getty Images for Turner) 11 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last From left, Shaquille O'Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley appear on stage during the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015 in New York City. (Theo Wargo, Getty Images for Turner) 12 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last TNT's Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson Jr. puts on an iGrow laser-based hair-growth helmet during a live telecast of "NBA on TNT" at CES 2017 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Jan. 5, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world's largest annual consumer technology trade show, featured 3,800 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 165,000 attendees. (Ethan Miller, Getty Images) 13 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Television sportscaster Ernie Johnson during practice for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on Mar. 31, 2017. (Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images) 14 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last LeBron James accepts the MVP award from TNT sportscaster Ernie Johnson Jr. during the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on Feb. 18, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Getty Images) 15 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson Jr. attend the 2018 NBA Awards Show at Barker Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California. (Allen Berezovsky, Getty Images) 16 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Tiger Woods (left) reacts at Phil Mickelson as sportscaster Ernie Johnson looks on during The Match: Tiger vs Phil golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas on Nov. 23, 2018. (Kyle Terada, Imagn Images) 17 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last TBS announcer Ernie Johnson with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after Team LeBron defeated Team Durant in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland on Feb. 20, 2022. (David Richard, Imagn Images) 18 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last TNT commentator Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green after winning game five of the 2022 western conference finals against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 26, 2022. (Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images) 19 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Ernie Johnson attends the 2023 Beloved Benefit presented by The Same House at Georgia World Congress Center on Aug. 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Derek White, Getty Images) 20 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Ernie Johnson speaks onstage during the 2023 Beloved Benefit presented by The Same House at Georgia World Congress Center on Aug.24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Derek White, Getty Images) 21 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty after their 3-point challenge during the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Stacy Revere, Getty Images) 22 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Commentator Ernie Johnson on set during Capital One's The Match IX at The Park West Palm on Feb. 26, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Cliff Hawkins, Getty Images for The Match) 23 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Shaq’s OGs general manager Shaquille O’Neal and Chuck’s Global Stars general manager Charles Barkley and broadcaster Ernie Johnson during a break in the game against Chuck’s Global Stars during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco. (Kyle Terada, Imagn Images) 24 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Ernie Johnson interviews Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle after game six of the eastern conference finals against the New York Knicks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 31, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images) 25 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last Ernie Johnson looks on during a practice session ahead of the Final Four of the men's 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 3, 2026. (Bob Donnan, Imagn Images) 26 / 26 Ernie Johnson says 37th year as 'Inside the NBA' host will be last New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (R) celebrates with the Larry O'Brien championship trophy while being interviewed by broadcaster Ernie Johnson (L) after game five of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on June 13, 2026. (Geoff Burke, Imagn Images) Lendeborg is still a rookie and he gets nervous out there, especially playing with Curry and Draymond Green, who have won four NBA championships together and understand what winning looks like.
Curry shot a perfect 8-for-8, scoring 24 points in their win against the Nuggets, but it was Lendeborg who led the team in scoring that night. Lendeborg is continually gaining confidence because the team leaders are encouraging it from him.
"Steph and Draymond's confidence for me," Lendeborg said after their win against the Nuggets. "After the (preseason) game in Hawaii, where I think I had, like, three points, and only took three shots, I asked them just for some guidance, some advice, and they told me to just, you know, try to be confident, be aggressive, and play through mistakes. I'm gonna be in that position to do that."
"Just hearing that from those two guys, I was coming into the game timid, like, I don't want to mess up what they got going on," Lendeborg said. "They pretty much just gave me free roam. So they helped me out, and from then, I just vowed to be a little more aggressive in each night."
In their 119-114 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 28, Curry scored a season-high 44 points. Lendeborg was the team's secondary option with 26 points and nine rebounds. He had seven turnovers but that's a part of the opportunity for growth that Curry and Green told him about.
His next is in a rematch with the Los Angeles Lakers and their star Luka Dončić after the NBA season opener when Lendeborg had words for the Lakers guard about his play.
"I was telling (Luka) he sucks. He can't score on me," Lendeborg said after the game. "You talk and you can't score on me. I said it the whole game."
Lendeborg said he "lost all respect" for Dončić after the game because the Lakers superstar was complaining to the officials for calls. Dončić scored 28 points on 7-for-18 shooting from the field and added eight rebounds and seven assists.
"It's about him complaining the entire game. And then you get foul call. Congratulations, bro," Lendeborg said. "And then you talk to me, like you did something great, bro. Come on, now. It kind of threw me off for a little while, 'cause, you know, like I said, I had so much respect for him. Gone."
Lendeborg gets his next opportunity Friday, as the Warriors look to win their third consecutive game and get back to .500 on the season as they host the Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is off to a historic start. Think Shaq-like.
Source: Sports
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