Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is preparing to shoulder a much larger offensive burden as the team plays without the injured Stephen Curry for multiple weeks due to an oblique abdominal tear. Speaking to reporters prior to Friday night’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, the 24-year-old forward admitted he is still adjusting to the prospect of becoming a primary focal point for the offense.
Stepping Into an Aggressive Mindset
Lendeborg rated his current confidence level in handling the new role as a 6 out of 10, explaining that he is trying to figure out the best ways to score efficiently while wondering if he can live up to the challenge. Averaging 21.7 points per game, Lendeborg stated that he needs to adopt a significantly more aggressive, score-first approach rather than his previous mindset of supporting Curry. He expects to share the extra scoring duties with teammate Brandin Podziemski.
During a recent loss to the Houston Rockets where Curry exited in the first quarter, Lendeborg noticed opposing defenses shifting more help toward him. Anticipating similar coverages against the San Antonio Spurs, particularly from star shot-blocker Victor Wembanyama, Lendeborg plans to shoot more perimeter shots rather than challenging him directly in the paint. He noted his intention to bait Wembanyama into helping, create kickout opportunities, and rough him up physically.
Veteran and Teammate Perspectives
To manage his pregame nerves, Lendeborg relies on meditation and positive self-talk. Veteran teammate Al Horford praised the rookie’s immediate offensive impact, expressing confidence that Lendeborg simply needs to maintain his usual level of aggression and decision-making.
Following Wednesday’s defeat, Warriors forward Draymond Green emphasized that Lendeborg must realize he will frequently be the best player on the floor. While Lendeborg still views himself as a newcomer rather than one of the league’s best players, he recognizes the need to embrace an alpha mindset and plans to consult with Green to help accelerate that mental shift.
