Yaxel Lendeborg dropped 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists in his NBA Summer League debut, powering the Golden State Warriors to a 101-90 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Las Vegas on Thursday night. The No. 11 overall pick wasn't just good, he was operating on a different level entirely, making it clear from the jump he's way past "Summer League ready."
Lendeborg Was a Straight-Up Problem for Dallas
You want to talk about making an immediate impact? Lendeborg finished his 28 minutes with a staggering +26 plus/minus. From the moment he stepped on the Thomas & Mack Center court, it was obvious this dude knows how to play. His ball handling was absolutely filthy, whether he was bringing the rock up the court or driving straight to the hoop like he owned the place. This guy was a defensive terror all night long. He piled up his 21 points on only 13 shots, which is super efficient, though he was calling for the ball on 95% of the Warriors' offensive possessions. Can you blame him? When you’re playing like that, you gotta demand the ball. Honestly, after seeing that performance, I'd be shocked if Lendeborg plays more than two Summer League games before the team shuts him down. He’s that good, and he’s one of only two "Summer Dubs" who has real job security.
Beyond Lendeborg: Jobs on the Line
The other player with job security is Will Richard, and you could tell he felt it. He played like a regular season Warrior, hustling, moving the ball, and locking in on defense, even deferring to his teammates when it made sense. Richard shot an efficient 3-for-5 from the field, dished out seven assists, snagged two steals, and added a blocked shot, also ending up with a +26 plus/minus. But while Lendeborg and Richard are locked in, the other three starters are all fighting for roster spots. LJ Cryer certainly made a strong case for a two-way deal, absolutely lighting it up from deep. He drained five of his eight three-pointers, finishing with a game-high 25 points and adding four assists. He might not be a defensive stopper, but you gotta respect that he puts in the effort on that end of the court. Plus, every piece of evidence points to him being a legitimately ex… well, the article cuts off there, but you get the picture: he looks promising.
The Warriors have their Summer League opener in the books, and it was a statement. With Lendeborg looking like he’s already too advanced for this stage and other guys battling hard for contracts, this plucky Summer Dubs squad looks like they might have the ability to take home a Summer League title. It'll be exciting to see how much longer Lendeborg actually plays and who else steps up in the coming games.
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.