In at least one very specific way, Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg's mind is already processing like a veteran's. Unfortunately, it happened when he was set to be tasked with guarding Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic, and his response is probably one that has crossed the minds of several NBA players over the years.
When the Warriors and Lakers squared off in a late-preseason matchup this week, there was at least a chance that the starters on each team could see decent playing time. Thankfully, specifically for Lendeborg, that didn't pan out, as Doncic, among others, sat out the matchup. But had the two-time NBA scoring champion played, it was apparently Lendeborg who would have been given the tall task of guarding him.
Lendeborg
explained that Warriors assistant coach Frank Vogel told him that he'd be guarding Doncic, which led to three words going through the rookie's mind.
"What the [expletive]?" Lendeborg admitted he thought.
"Just going to throw me into the fire," he continued, laughing. "I tried to act like all cool and not spooked, but I was spooked, man; that's crazy."
To make it even more hilarious, Lendeborg revealed that Vogel continued, telling him, "Nobody can stop him, so just do your best."
WARNING: The video below contains some NSFW language.
Yaxel Lendeborg on Frank Vogel telling him to guard Luka Doncic:
— Yaxel Lendeborg Muse (@Yaxel_Muse) October 15, 2026
“I was like what the f***?” 🤣 pic.twitter.com/6KprVOA35I
Well, we should give Lendeborg at least some credit for quickly processing the possibility of drawing Doncic defensively, even if he was "spooked."
Unfortunately, there is some bad news for Lendeborg, as the Warriors not only open the season against the Lakers on Wednesday, October 21, in an ESPN matchup, but the two teams will square off four times in 2026-27. After their first meeting, the Lakers and Warriors will meet again less than two weeks later, on Friday, October 30.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Yaxel Lendeborg's reaction to Luka Doncic defensive assignment was hilariously blunt
