The Golden State Warriors made a statement in their latest preseason outing, defeating the Los Angeles Lakers 124-98 on Tuesday night. While Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski both contributed 16 points, rookie Yaxel Lendeborg emerged as one of the biggest stories from the game.
Lendeborg delivered an impressive all-around performance, helping the Warriors control the game from start to finish while showing why he could become an important part of Golden State’s rotation.
Yaxel Lendeborg Leads the Way for the Warriors
Yaxel Lendeborg finished the Warriors vs Lakers matchup with 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and one block. He shot an efficient 7-of-11 from the field and connected on 2-of-3 attempts from three-point range.
The rookie’s impact went beyond his scoring. Lendeborg consistently ran the floor, attacked the glass and found ways to contribute without dominating the ball.
He also posted a plus-21 rating during his 21 minutes on the court, as Golden State significantly outplayed Los Angeles whenever he was involved.
Lendeborg, the No. 11 overall selection in the 2026 NBA Draft, had scored only four points on 1-of-6 shooting in his preseason debut. His performance against the Lakers was a major improvement and gave Warriors fans plenty of reason for optimism.
Warriors Dominate Lakers in Every Area
The Warriors shot 51.2% from the field and finished the game with 32 assists, compared with 20 for the Lakers. Golden State also collected 44 rebounds while committing just 10 turnovers.
Stephen Curry scored 16 points and added five assists in only 14 minutes. Brandin Podziemski also scored 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, while Draymond Green contributed eight assists and two rebounds despite scoring only three points.
The balanced attack allowed the Warriors to maintain their advantage even when Curry was off the floor.
For Golden State, the performance was particularly encouraging because the team did not need an extended outing from its superstar to produce a dominant result.
Lakers Struggle Without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves
The Lakers entered the Lakers vs Warriors game without Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves, leaving them without two key offensive creators.
Los Angeles shot only 39.8% from the field and finished with 22 turnovers. Sandro Mamukelashvili led the Lakers with 15 points, while Jaden Hardy scored 13 and Dalton Knecht added 11.
Bronny James started and played 21 minutes, recording four points, one rebound and five assists. He shot 2-of-3 from inside the arc but missed both of his three-point attempts and committed three turnovers.
The result highlighted how difficult life can become for the Lakers when Doncic is unavailable. Although preseason results should not be overanalyzed, Los Angeles will eventually need reliable secondary playmaking when its star guard is resting.
Golden State’s Ball Movement Stands Out
One of the biggest differences in the Warriors game was the way Golden State moved the basketball.
The Warriors recorded 32 assists compared with 20 for Los Angeles, allowing them to consistently create open and efficient scoring opportunities.
Draymond Green was central to that effort. He scored just three points but handed out eight assists in 15 minutes, helping keep the offense moving.
That style of basketball helped Golden State shoot above 50% from the floor and prevented the Lakers from establishing consistent defensive pressure.
Lakers Cannot Rely on Hot Shooting
Los Angeles opened its preseason schedule by making 20 three-pointers against Sacramento, but that shooting success did not carry over against Golden State.
The Lakers went 13-of-37 from beyond the arc, or 35.1%. Mamukelashvili provided a bright spot by hitting three of four attempts from deep, while Cole Swider also made three triples.
However, the Lakers could not generate enough consistent offense to match the Warriors.
The performance serves as an early reminder that Los Angeles will need more than perimeter shooting to succeed throughout the regular season.
What Yaxel Lendeborg’s Performance Means for Golden State
For the Warriors, Lendeborg’s emergence may be one of the most encouraging developments of the preseason.
His combination of rebounding, athleticism, efficient finishing and three-point shooting gives Steve Kerr another versatile option. He demonstrated that he can affect the game without requiring a high volume of possessions.
It is still only preseason basketball, so one strong performance should not lead to unrealistic expectations. However, Lendeborg’s 17-point, nine-rebound showing suggests he could compete for meaningful minutes once the regular season begins.
The Warriors also showed impressive depth against the Lakers. Curry played only 14 minutes, Green played 15 and Lendeborg played 21, yet Golden State still won by 26 points.
Warriors vs Lakers Regular-Season Rematch
The Warriors and Lakers are scheduled to meet again when the regular season begins on October 21. That matchup should provide a much clearer indication of how the teams compare when the stakes are higher and their regular rotations are in place.
For now, the biggest takeaway from these NBA preseason games is the emergence of Yaxel Lendeborg and the depth displayed by the Golden State Warriors.
The Lakers game ended in a decisive defeat, but Los Angeles still has time to address its offensive issues before the regular season. For Golden State, meanwhile, the 124-98 victory provided another encouraging sign that the roster can contribute around Curry.
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