10
Loading video...
By Aman Sharma
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
Most rookies would bristle at a profane earful from Draymond Green, but Yaxel Lendeborg sounded almost thankful for his.
The Golden State Warriors forward explained why after his team beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 119-114, according to The Athletic’s Jon Krawczynski. Asked about sharing the court with Steph Curry during a scorching stretch, Lendeborg admitted he briefly turned into a spectator.
He credited Green with snapping him out of it.
Read More on NBA
“I think I just need somebody to cuss me out like Draymond did,” Lendeborg said. “Because I’m just watching like, ‘Man, this guy’s good as hell.’ It’s crazy. I caught myself shaking my head like, ‘Wow,’ a couple times. But once he got out the game, it’s like this is my opportunity to help him out, help his great be worthwhile. But, I was amazed, for sure.”
Green’s message came after Lendeborg opened slowly against Minnesota, and the rookie repeated it word for word.
“He said ‘Next time you get it, drive it into somebody’s [expletive] chest.’” Lendeborg said. “And I was like, ‘OK, I got you.’”
Shortly after Warriors coach Steve Kerr put him back on the floor, Lendeborg said he went right at Jonathan Kuminga, the former Warriors forward who now starts for Minnesota, and drove through his chest.
Lendeborg, 24, finished with 26 points and eight rebounds in his fifth NBA game. He also coughed up seven turnovers.
None of that satisfied him. Lendeborg said he “played hella soft” and cited a bruised left foot from a collision against the Denver Nuggets two nights earlier, though he refused to blame the injury.
Kerr said he was “almost glad that this happened so he feels it,” noting the rookie still posted 26 points and eight boards.
Kuminga answered with 20 points, five assists and two steals against his former team.
Golden State drafted Lendeborg at No. 11 in the 2026 NBA Draft, and he has posted 20-and-10 numbers through his first two weeks.
Motivation came from Green. Kerr’s next ask is discipline: after seven giveaways in Minneapolis, the coach told the rookie to take an advantage when he has one and stop forcing plays when he doesn’t.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines