Sports
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg scores 37, the most by a Golden State rookie since Stephen Curry
Yaxel Lendeborg hit six 3-pointers and scored 37 as the Warriors beat the Clippers 124-112 without Stephen Curry. He later admitted he chased 40 points.
Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg keeps getting better.
Lendeborg scored 37 points on Sunday night in a 124-112 win over the LA Clippers. He made 13 of 19 shots, including six 3-pointers. It was the most points by a Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry in 2010.
The Warriors rested Curry and Draymond Green ahead of Monday's game against Phoenix. That left the spotlight for Lendeborg.
'Be the main guy'
"Whenever Steph's not in the game, it's my opportunity to try to be the leader, be the main guy on the team," Lendeborg said.
He reached 30 points only once in 112 college games. He has now done it twice in his first two weeks in the NBA. He is averaging 22.7 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists.
"We knew he was a good shooter," coach Steve Kerr said. "But I didn't expect what I saw tonight."
A lesson learned
Late in the game, two teammates told Lendeborg he was three points away from 40. He went hunting for it and missed three tough 3s. The Clippers cut the lead to eight before Kerr pulled him.
"I've never been a stat chaser in my life," Lendeborg said. "Falling into peer pressure like I did just now was bad on my part. I'm a guy that loves ethical hoops."
Golden State has now won four straight after an 0-3 start. "It changes everything," Kerr said of his rookie's impact.
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