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.
Kevin Durant called Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg “a different level of athlete” after the Houston Rockets’ 115-108 win on Nov. 11.
The win ended Golden State’s run of eight straight victories, though Lendeborg led the Warriors with 25 points and 10 rebounds after abdominal soreness forced Stephen Curry out in the opening quarter.
Durant’s verdict lands as Golden State leans on a rookie while Curry and Draymond Green chase one more title. Through 12 games, Lendeborg is putting up 21.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists while logging 32.2 minutes a night.
Read More on NBA
Speaking after his 20-point, 4-rebound, 5-assist night, Durant explained what caught his eye.
“I love his game,” Durant said. “He’s a skilled big that can play 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 on the offensive side of the ball. He can shoot it. He can handle it. He’s strong, long, and athletic.
“That right there shows you he’s a different level of athlete,” Durant added. “A winner. He won in college. He’s been through a lot of adversity.
“He came here fully grown, and he’s ready for anything that’s thrown at him. It was fun to play against him.”
That kind of endorsement means something from a 15-time NBA All-Star with almost 20 years of league matchups behind him. He got a close look, too, with the rookie guarding him as early as the first quarter.
The numbers explain Durant’s enthusiasm. Lendeborg came into the Houston matchup averaging 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 4 assists across 11 career games, shooting 52.3% overall and 44.3% on 3-pointers.
Golden State isn’t set up to wait years for a prospect to develop. Lendeborg’s maturity has let him slide into a contending rotation without playing scared.
Alperen Sengun earned player of the game honors for the Rockets, finishing one point behind Durant with 19 on 8-of-14 shooting to go with 13 rebounds and 9 assists.
Lendeborg also swiped 2 steals, yet every one of his 25 points came before the fourth quarter. Houston changed its coverage in the final period, and a Warriors team without Curry couldn’t find another source of points as the margin narrowed.
Staying productive once defenses adjust is the next hurdle for Lendeborg, and Houston just handed every future opponent a blueprint for how to try. Durant, at least, has seen enough.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines