Lakers’ Luka Doncic sounds off on making Yaxel Lendeborg pay for trash talk appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Lakers took care of business in their season opener against the Golden State Warriors, 127-105, at Crypto.com Arena, with the new trio of Luka Doncic, Austin Reaves, and Walker Kessler leading the charge.
After a tight contest in the first half, the Lakers outscored the Warriors, 36-16, in the third quarter to make it a one-sided affair. They kept pouring it on and rolled to an easy victory.
Doncic had 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. He admitted that he got fired up by his word war with Yaxel Lendeborg in the second quarter.
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“I think everybody knows when somebody starts talking, you get a different me. So that was it,” said Doncic in the postgame interview.
"Everybody knows when somebody starts talking, you get a different me. So that was it.”
Luka Doncic when asked about his constant trash talk with Yaxel Lendeborg 🗣️
(via @ESPNNBA) pic.twitter.com/m3xcaALPvl
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 22, 2026
The six-time All-Star claimed that Lendeborg started the verbal spat. Although Doncic clapped back at the fiery rookie with an expletive remark, he added that he is trying to dial back his on-court vigor.
“He was talking crazy. But I wasn’t trying to talk back this season, not trying to get techs. So it was the first time that was not a double-tech because I didn’t say anything. So I’m working on it. But as you see, I think it worked great,” added Doncic in the postgame conference.
"It was the first time that was not a double-tech because I didn't say nothing. So I'm working on it."
Luka Doncic on his exchange with Yaxel Landeborg at the end of the 1st half 🗣
(via @SpectrumSN)
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) October 22, 2026
Doncic, the reigning scoring champion, shot 7-of-18 from the field, including 5-of-12 from long range.
Lendeborg had 12 points and three rebounds.
Reaves tallied 23 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals, while Kessler added 26 points on 12-of-12 shooting, nine rebounds, and two blocks.
The Lakers will face the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
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