Two weeks ago, I wrote about how Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg was doing too much talking for a rookie. It felt appropriate at the time. He was coming off a 12-point NBA debut where his mouth seemed to ignite Luka Doncic in Golden State's 22-point loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
It was simple for me. If you don't have the game to match the energy of your words, keep those words to yourself.
Since then, however, it’s come to my attention Lendeborg does, in fact, have the game. After dropping 37 points on the Clippers Sunday -- the most by a Warriors rookie since Steph Curry in 2010 -- he's averaging 22.3 points on 52/41/74 shooting splits through his first seven games. That includes four games of at least 26 points. He's also averaging 7.3
rebound and 3.7 assists.
Lendeborg does not appear to be your typical rookie. He's capable of putting the Warriors on his back in a way most first-year players aren't. His rapid ascension to Steph Curry sidekick has helped the team run off four straight wins to dig out of an 0-3 hole.
My bad, big dog. Keep talking that talk.
YAXEL LENDEBORG: MOST POINTS BY A WARRIORS ROOKIE IN A SINGLE GAME SINCE STEPH IN 2010!
— NBA (@NBA) November 2, 2026
🌉 37 PTS (career-high, game-high)
🌉 6 AST
🌉 6 3PM
🌉 13-19 FGM
4 straight wins for @Yaxel_Lendeborg and the @warriors! pic.twitter.com/422cb82ur7
If this seems a little soon for a change of heart, it might be. But the truth is I never doubted Lendeborg's ability to be a good player. We saw what he was capable of in March when he led Michigan to a national title -- and at 24, he's already older than players like Paolo Banchero and Victor Wembanyama, all-stars who have been in the league for years.
I just didn't think he'd be this good this soon. Thus why it seemed reasonable for him to pipe it down until he figured things out.
But when you can drop 31 against Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets in your fourth career game, then follow that with 37 on 13-of-19 shooting with six three-pointers a few nights later, talk all you want. Those are the type of performances that make the rest of us shut up.
Chiefs false start penalty in question
The Kansas City Chiefs blew a 24-13 fourth-quarter lead to lose to the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but they nearly saved the win with a final-second touchdown that was wiped out by a false start penalty.
GROSS: Chiefs called out for Justin Tucker signing
The Chiefs had the game won, but a false start penalty ended the play early and moved them back 5 yards
— Covers.com Football (@Covers_Football) November 2, 2026
Absolutely insane ending in Denver 😮pic.twitter.com/96BWVY31IQ https://t.co/nKeqYktEKf
Did right tackle Jaylon Moore actually jump. I think he very clearly flinched, but some on the KC side are questioning the penalty, including Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, and Brittany Mahomes on social media.
Quick hits: FSU candidates ... Kyler Murray's "injury" ... and more
- Florida State head coach candidates after Mike Norvell's firing, including one very familiar name.
- T.J. Hockenson emotionally addressed the scary injury to his fellow Iowa alum, Jack Campbell.
- Postgame footage showed Lincoln Riley's NSFW exchange with Ohio State coaches.
- Jerry Jones was critical of his Cowboys after their latest disappointing loss, but not so much the coach.
- NFL fans think Kyler Murray's new injury is a Vikings ploy to bench him for Carson Wentz.
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This article originally appeared on For The Win: Actually, Yaxel Lendeborg can keep talking
