Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg shared his harsh criticism of Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic after his NBA debut.
Lendeborg was on the receiving end of Doncic’s biggest highlights from LA’s 127-105 win over Golden State on Wednesday, particularly a half-court three after Yaxel trash-talked Luka in the second quarter.
However, Lendeborg will not remember this clash as his ‘Welcome to the NBA moment’ against one of the league’s best guards, but with a scathing review of Doncic’s conduct on the court during the win.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s scathing comments on Luka Doncic after Lakers-Warriors
Lendeborg unloaded on Doncic after the game, saying he lost all respect for Doncic because of his foul-baiting and complaining.
“A lot of flopping, a lot of foul-baiting, and a lot of crying to the refs. It was an interesting first game for me… I had a lot of respect for him. I didn’t watch the NBA a lot, but I saw highlights of him killing people all the time. But being there firsthand, watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect.”
“It’s not about getting the foul call, it’s about him complaining the entire game. You got the foul call, congratulations, but then you talk to me like you did something great? Come on man, that —- is weak. It kinda threw me off, I had so much respect for him. Gone.”
Lendeborg elaborated on his interaction with Doncic in the second quarter, revealing what he said and reiterating his lack of respect for the 27-year-old Lakers guard.
“I told him he sucks. ‘You’re talking and you can’t score on me.’ Whole game. I said a couple of cuss words, that’s why I got the technical, but I was letting him know. He was laughing and talking because of that one foul call. His only bucket was a banker from half-court. He had 28 on us as a team… I was thinking of playing him with my hands tied behind my back, but probably still would have got a foul call.”
Doncic ended the game with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on 7-for-18 field goal shooting. Lendeborg did play great defence on him, holding Doncic to 0-for-4 in individual matchups until Doncic’s half-court heave to end the first half.
Lendeborg had a decent debut performance with 12 points and three rebounds, playing strong defence on Doncic while the team was heavily outmatched.
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