Warriors Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg Matches Rare NBA Milestone

Yaxel Lendeborg has made an immediate impact for Golden State, becoming the first NBA player since Shaquille O’Neal in 1992 to post averages of 20 points or more and nine rebounds or more over his first five career games. The Warriors rookie is putting up 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and four assists per game, while shooting 48% from the field and 36% from three-point range.

Lendeborg scored 26 points and collected nine rebounds in the October 28, 2026, 119-114 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. He made 11 of 20 shots, helping Golden State earn its second straight win after beginning the season with three losses. The team’s record stands at 2-3.

His scoring has climbed since his October 21 debut against the Los Angeles Lakers, when he had 12 points. After an 18-point game against Memphis, he scored at least 25 in each of his next three outings. His top performance so far came against Denver: 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a 134-114 win.

That Denver outing gave him a distinction last achieved by a Warriors rookie when Stephen Curry did it in 2010: putting up 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists during one game. Through four appearances, Lendeborg had also matched the achievement of O’Neal, Patrick Ewing and David Robinson, the only players besides him since 1985 to reach 85 points and 35 rebounds over their opening four games.

Selected 11th in the 2026 draft after playing five college seasons at Michigan, Lendeborg is already contributing as a scorer, rebounder and playmaker. Golden State is scheduled to host the Lakers on Friday for its first NBA Cup game. Maintaining his early pace will be the challenge as his NBA career continues.