Overview
- The rookie has averaged roughly 22.6 points and 9.2 rebounds through his first five NBA games, becoming the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and nine rebounds in his first five career games.
- Golden State accelerated his role because Jimmy Butler, Moses Moody and Kristaps Porziņģis were unavailable, and his production helped the Warriors recover from an 0–3 start to win consecutive games.
- Lendeborg told reporters he will decline team media training and has repeatedly spoken candidly about opponents, including saying he “lost all respect” for Luka Dončić after the season opener.
- In the rematch at Chase Center on Friday he arrived in a Michael Myers costume and Dončić immediately attacked him on the opening possession by sizing him up and drilling a 3‑pointer over him.
- Coaches and veterans publicly back his freedom to speak but are pressing him to cut turnovers and improve defensive reads, while league figures compare his start to rare rookie seasons and warn he must adapt quickly or face tougher tests.