By 2nd Ezra | Sweet Science Sports
The Golden State Warriors may have found something special in rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.
With Stephen Curry and Draymond Green resting, Lendeborg delivered the best performance of his young NBA career, scoring 37 points to lead Golden State to a 124–112 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night at Chase Center.
The victory extended Golden State's winning streak to four games after opening the season with three consecutive losses.
And for Lendeborg, it was another indication that he belongs among the NBA's most impressive rookies.
Lendeborg Takes Center Stage
The rookie forward was nearly unstoppable offensively, finishing with 37 points, four rebounds and six assists.
He shot 13-for-19 from the field, including six three-pointers on 11 attempts.
His 68.4% field-goal percentage was particularly impressive considering his scoring volume.
Lendeborg delivered five consecutive points midway through the third quarter, helping Golden State establish an 83–68 advantage.
His 37 points were the most scored by a Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry recorded 42 against Portland on April 14, 2010.
He also joined Wilt Chamberlain and Rick Barry as the only Warriors players to record two 30-point performances within their first seven NBA games.
That's impressive company for a young player just beginning his professional career.
Warriors Overcome Slow Start
The Clippers came out aggressively, scoring 37 first-quarter points and taking an eight-point advantage into the second period.
But Golden State responded.
The Warriors outscored Los Angeles 34–20 in the second quarter to take a 63–57 halftime lead.
Lendeborg continued his offensive production after halftime, while Golden State's supporting cast helped maintain the advantage.
De'Anthony Melton scored 21 points, connecting on six of eight three-point attempts.
Brandin Podziemski contributed 17 points, eight rebounds and eight assists, while Brandon Williams added 17 points off the bench.
Without Curry and Green, Golden State demonstrated that it could generate offense through its younger players and supporting cast.
Clippers Continue to Struggle
Rui Hachimura led Los Angeles with 24 points and seven rebounds.
Kobe Sanders added 16 points, while Darius Garland finished with 15 points and seven assists.
Kris Dunn recorded seven steals, an impressive defensive performance despite the loss.
But the Clippers couldn't match Golden State's offensive efficiency.
The Warriors shot 53.5% from the field and connected on 22 three-pointers, compared with 14 for the Clippers.
Golden State also finished with 32 assists to Los Angeles' 22.
The Clippers have now lost five consecutive games and fallen to 1–5.
S³ Game Leaders
| Category | Clippers | Warriors |
|---|---|---|
| Points | Rui Hachimura, 24 | Yaxel Lendeborg, 37 |
| Rebounds | Isaiah Jackson, 8 | Charles Bassey, 10 |
| Assists | Darius Garland, 7 | Brandin Podziemski, 8 |
| Steals | Kris Dunn, 7 | De'Anthony Melton, 2 |
| Three-pointers | Hachimura/Sanders, 4 | Lendeborg/Melton, 6 |
S³ Final Assessment
Golden State's fourth consecutive victory was encouraging, but Lendeborg's performance was the biggest story.
The Warriors didn't need Curry to produce 124 points, and their offense finished with 32 assists despite missing two of their most important veterans.
Their combination of ball movement and perimeter shooting overwhelmed the Clippers after the opening quarter.
For Los Angeles, the problems are becoming difficult to ignore. The Clippers competed early but couldn't sustain their offensive production or contain Golden State's shooters.
For the Warriors, the victory provides additional evidence that their young players can contribute to winning basketball.
And Lendeborg is quickly becoming one of the most intriguing stories of the 2026–27 rookie class.
S³ Verdict: The Warriors have won four straight, but the development of Yaxel Lendeborg may be an even bigger victory for Golden State's future.
Sweet Science Sports (S³)
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