Warriors Rookie Lendeborg Braces for Luka, Draws Kessler Instead
No. 11 pick Yaxel Lendeborg was told he'd guard a 33.5-PPG scorer in preseason — then the plan flipped on him minutes before tip.
Our No. 2 overall pick isn't sliding over a preseason rest night.
- Lendeborg averaged 19 PPG over his last 3 exhibitions
- Doncic led NBA at 33.5 PPG last season (2025-26)
- Luka ranks No. 2 overall, 57.5 FPTS/G in 2025-26
- Kessler: 11 pts, 9 reb in 16 min in Lakers debut
- Lendeborg scored 17 on 9 FT attempts in 26 min
Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg found out the hard way that defensive assignments in the NBA can change between the film room and the opening tip. Ahead of Tuesday's 101-89 preseason win over the Lakers, the No. 11 pick was told by assistant Frank Vogel that he'd be checking Luka Doncic — the guy who just led the league in scoring at 33.5 points per game last season (2025-26) on a league-high 22.8 shots a night.
Lendeborg's reaction, which has since made the rounds, was less than composed. The 6-foot-9 forward said he was chilling on his phone when Vogel dropped the news, and he admitted he tried to play it cool but was genuinely spooked. Vogel's scouting report, by Lendeborg's telling, amounted to: he averages 30-35, nobody can stop him, so just do your best.
Then came the twist. Doncic was given the night off by JJ Redick, and the Warriors hadn't gotten the memo while building their game plan. So instead of chasing a 6-8, 230-pound superstar, Lendeborg ended up giving up five inches to 7-2 center Walker Kessler, who was making his Lakers debut.
The rookie more than held his own. Lendeborg got to the free-throw line nine times and poured in 17 points in 26 minutes, continuing a strong preseason that already included a 19-point scoring clip over his previous three exhibitions. Kessler, for his part, chipped in 11 points and nine boards in 16 minutes.
The Fantasy Fallout
Don't read anything into a preseason rest day. Doncic sitting Tuesday is pure load management math, not a red flag. Our model still has him ranked No. 2 overall and No. 1 at the position, coming off a 57.5 fantasy points per game actual mark in 2025-26 across 64 games. The only mild note: his last five games last season dipped about 3 fantasy points below his season average — noise, not a trend.
For redraft managers, Luka is a top-two lock the moment he comes off the board, full stop. Lendeborg is the more interesting watch — the back-to-back AAC Defensive Player of the Year and first-team Big Ten defender is flashing scoring touch in a crowded Golden State frontcourt, but there's no standalone fantasy value yet. Keep him on your deep-league radar and leave him on the wire until the rotation sorts itself out.
