The Golden State Warriors suffered a defeat in their season opener, falling to the Los Angeles Lakers, 105-127. Steve Kerr's team struggled from the field, going 8-of-36 from deep, or 22.2%. Despite the loss, there were encouraging signs: Stephen Curry played well, and Yaxel Lendeborg showed his defense against Luka Doncic.
Lendeborg didn't back down from Doncic, either. The pair went back and forth throughout the game, even earning the rookie a technical foul in the process. Still, defensively, Lendeborg held his own. According to NBA Stats, Lendeborg held Doncic to 1-of-5 shooting in 2:58 of their matchup and forced two turnovers.
After the game, Draymond Green shared his thoughts on the immediate rivalry between Doncic and Lendeborg and what he hopes the rookie learned from the game.
"Everybody is going to be like, 'Oh man, he shouldn't talk to Luka; he should not talk to Luka,'" Green said. "I disagree with that [expletive]...Everyone will say the rookie learned his lesson. What he learn? The next time he see him, go at his [expletive] again."
It's important to remember that this was Lendeborg's first game in the NBA. Guarding Doncic is one of the most difficult assignments you can get in the league. The fact that he stood his ground, both in terms of trash-talking and actual basketball, is highly encouraging for the Warriors.
Lendeborg will undoubtedly continue to develop as the season goes on, but right now, it looks highly likely that he's going to be an important part of Kerr's rotation. It just so happens that he probably has his next matchup with Doncic already circled on his calendar.
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This article originally appeared on Warriors Wire: Warriors’ Draymond Green Defends Lendeborg’s Trash Talk With Doncic