Yaxel Lendeborg turned his ankle in the third quarter of the Golden State Warriors' 101-89 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Las Vegas on Tuesday.
Lendeborg was driving to the basket when he appeared to step on Kevon Looney's foot. He tried to walk it off before his ensuing free-throw attempts.
After Lendeborg missed the second free throw, Gary Payton II committed a foul in the backcourt to allow Lendeborg to check out of the game.
Lendeborg went to the locker room but then returned for the last 98 seconds of the third quarter.
He did not play in the fourth quarter.
Lendeborg's Injury Update
After the game, Lendeborg said the ankle injury was "not as bad as it looked."
"I think I'll be all right," Lendeborg told reporters. "We'll see how it feels tomorrow."
The Warriors' final preseason game will be on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers. They open the regular season on Oct. 21 against the Lakers.
Lendeborg Shines Again
As I wrote here, Lendeborg was the Warriors' best offensive player on Tuesday. He filled the stat sheet with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals.
He didn't shy away from attacking 7'2" rim protector Walker Kessler, and he even got the better of him more often than not.
Lendeborg's defense left a lot to be desired, but all things considered, the Warriors have to be thrilled with how he's looked in the preseason.
Warriors Can't Afford Another Injury
Kristaps Porzingis met with Rick Celebrini and Mike Dunleavy Jr. at the Warriors facilities on Tuesday. He's still out indefinitely with a health issue.
Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody are both rehabbing from knee injuries that could keep them out until February.
The Warriors can't afford another injury to one of their top rotation players.
Lendeborg qualifies as such. Kerr said he's "leaning toward" a starting lineup featuring Lendeborg with Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Gui Santos and Draymond Green.
The Dubs might struggle to hang around in the Western Conference playoff race even if their expected starters stay healthy. One more loss could steer them down a dark path.
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