Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is off to a historic begin. Think Shaq-like.
The Golden State Warriors appear to have landed a gem with the No. 11 choose in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Yaxel Lendeborg has put his title among some of the biggest rookies of all-time with his first-week efficiency.
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After an 0-3 begin, the Warriors have won back-to-back video games and Lendeborg has stuffed his position tremendously.
Yes, he’s taking part in alongside a man named Stephen Curry, who’s been unstoppable the previous two video games − his 44-point evening following a excellent taking pictures evening. Still, Curry can’t do it alone and with accidents to Jimmy Butler III and Moses Moody, Golden State wants gamers to step up. Lendeborg has so far.
The 24-year-old rookie has averaged 22.6 factors, 9.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists over his first 5 video games.
His performances embody 31 factors in the Warriors’ first win of the season, which came on the street against the Denver Nuggets. He added 12 rebounds and six assists. He shot 9-of-19.
He’s continued to adapt to the NBA sport, staying aggressive and getting straightforward alternatives at the free throw line. The rookie completed 12-of-13 from the charity stripe against Denver.
Lendeborg joined Hall of Famers Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and O’Neal as the only gamers in the draft lottery period (since 1985) to put up at least 85 factors and 35 rebounds in their first 4 profession video games.
He scored 87 factors in his first 4 video games, which is second-most for a participant in Warriors historical past behind Wilt Chamberlain. Lendeborg is forward of Joe Fulks (78 factors in 1946-47); Paul Arizin (73 factors in 1950-51); Rick Barry (71 factors in 1965-66); and Chris Webber (68 factors in 1993-94).
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Ernie Johnson says thirty seventh 12 months as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
TNT college basketball analyst Ernie Johnson on air before the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Longtime host Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, in a video message posted to his social media channel that the 2026-27 season, which began last week, will be his last with the show.
“You know I’ve been internet hosting ‘Inside the NBA’ for a long time – this is my thirty seventh 12 months.” Johnson said. “I’ve long described it as a ‘get to job,’ still amazed that I get to do this for a living. As the years have gone by, and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me: ‘So how long are you going to keep doing Inside?’ Well I want to take a couple of minutes of your time to answer that.
“This will be my last season. Totally my choice. It’s just time.”
Look back at his career.
(Mitchell Layton, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
TNT college basketball analyst Ernie Johnson on air before the National Championship of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament between the Michigan Wolverines and the Connecticut Huskies at Lucas Oil Stadium on April 6, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Longtime host Ernie Johnson announced Wednesday, Oct. 28, in a video message posted to his social media channel that the 2026-27 season, which began last week, will be his last with the show.
“You know I’ve been internet hosting ‘Inside the NBA’ for a long time – this is my thirty seventh 12 months.” Johnson said. “I’ve long described it as a ‘get to job,’ still amazed that I get to do this for a living. As the years have gone by, and I turned 70 this past summer, folks have asked me: ‘So how long are you going to keep doing Inside?’ Well I want to take a couple of minutes of your time to answer that.
“This will be my last season. Totally my choice. It’s just time.”
Look back at his career.
(Mitchell Layton, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
2002 picture of Ernie Johnson bobblehead.
(LESLIE SMITH,JR., USA TODAY)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
(L-R) Referee Dick Bavetta, TNT announcer Ernie Johnson and NBA legend Charles Barkley stand at mid-court before the begin of the Bavetta/Barkley Challenge during NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
(Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
NBA on TNT tv show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. Kenny Smith, Ernie Johnson and Charles Barkley clown around on the set during halftime show on May 2, 2007 in Atlanta.
(Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
NBA on TNT tv show, hosted by Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley. L to R: Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley at postgame show on May 2, 2007 in Atlanta.
(Michael A. Schwarz, USA TODAY)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates as he speaks with TNT’s Ernie Johnson after defeating the San Antonio Spurs 100-92 in Game Five of the Western Conference Finals during the 2008 NBA Playoffs on May 29, 2008 at Staples Center in Los Angeles.
(Jeff Gross, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
From left, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Chris Weber, and Charles Barkley on the TNT set at the 2012 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars competitors at the Amway Center in Orlando.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Turner sportscaster Ernie Johnson, Jr speaks during the Legends Brunch at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans on Feb. 16, 2014.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Hosts Ernie Johnson attends a NBA 2K15 Uncensored roundtable dialogue at Baruch College on Aug. 19, 2014 in New York City.
(Brad Barket)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
From left, Charles Barkley, Ernie Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kenny Smith attend the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015 in New York City.
(Theo Wargo, Getty Images for Turner)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
From left, Shaquille O’Neal, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley seem on stage during the Turner Upfront 2015 at Madison Square Garden on May 13, 2015 in New York City.
(Theo Wargo, Getty Images for Turner)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
TNT’s Inside the NBA host Ernie Johnson Jr. places on an iGrow laser-based hair-growth helmet during a stay telecast of “NBA on TNT” at CES 2017 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center on Jan. 5, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world’s largest annual client technology commerce show, featured 3,800 exhibitors exhibiting off their newest merchandise and companies to more than 165,000 attendees.
(Ethan Miller, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Television sportscaster Ernie Johnson during apply for the 2017 Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium on Mar. 31, 2017.
(Joe Camporeale, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
LeBron James accepts the MVP award from TNT sportscaster Ernie Johnson Jr. during the NBA All-Star Game 2018 at Staples Center on Feb. 18, 2018 in Los Angeles.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson Jr. attend the 2018 NBA Awards Show at Barker Hangar on June 25, 2018 in Santa Monica, California.
(Allen Berezovsky, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Tiger Woods (left) reacts at Phil Mickelson as sportscaster Ernie Johnson seems on during The Match: Tiger vs Phil golf match at Shadow Creek Golf Course in Las Vegas on Nov. 23, 2018.
(Kyle Terada, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
TBS announcer Ernie Johnson with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after Team LeBron defeated Team Durant in the 2022 NBA All-Star Game at Rocket Mortgage SubjectHouse in Cleveland on Feb. 20, 2022.
(David Richard, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
TNT commentator Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Golden State Warriors ahead Draymond Green after profitable sport 5 of the 2022 western convention finals against the Dallas Mavericks at Chase Center in San Francisco on May 26, 2022.
(Kelley L Cox, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Ernie Johnson attends the 2023 Beloved Benefit offered by The Same House at Georgia World Congress Center on Aug. 24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Derek White, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Ernie Johnson speaks onstage during the 2023 Beloved Benefit offered by The Same House at Georgia World Congress Center on Aug.24, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(Derek White, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Ernie Johnson Jr. interviews Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Sabrina Ionescu of the New York Liberty after their 3-point problem during the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium on Feb. 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Stacy Revere, Getty Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Commentator Ernie Johnson on set during Capital One’s The Match IX at The Park West Palm on Feb. 26, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
(Cliff Hawkins, Getty Images for The Match)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Shaq’s OGs common supervisor Shaquille O’Neal and Chuck’s Global Stars common supervisor Charles Barkley and broadcaster Ernie Johnson during a break in the sport against Chuck’s Global Stars during the 2025 NBA All Star Game at Chase Center on Feb. 16, 2025 in San Francisco.
(Kyle Terada, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Ernie Johnson interviews Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle after sport six of the japanese convention finals against the New York Knicks for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on May 31, 2025.
(Trevor Ruszkowski, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
Ernie Johnson seems on during a apply session forward of the Final Four of the males’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on April 3, 2026.
(Bob Donnan, Imagn Images)
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Ernie Johnson says 37th year as ‘Inside the NBA’ host will be last
New York Knicks heart Karl-Anthony Towns (R) celebrates with the Larry O’Brien championship trophy while being interviewed by broadcaster Ernie Johnson (L) after sport 5 of the 2026 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio on June 13, 2026.
(Geoff Burke, Imagn Images)
Lendeborg is still a rookie and he gets nervous out there, particularly taking part in with Curry and Draymond Green, who have won 4 NBA championships collectively and perceive what profitable seems like.
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Curry shot a excellent 8-for-8, scoring 24 factors in their win against the Nuggets, but it was Lendeborg who led the group in scoring that evening. Lendeborg is frequently gaining confidence because the group leaders are encouraging it from him.
“Steph and Draymond’s confidence for me,” Lendeborg said after their win against the Nuggets. “After the (preseason) game in Hawaii, where I think I had, like, three points, and only took three shots, I asked them just for some guidance, some advice, and they told me to just, you know, try to be confident, be aggressive, and play through mistakes. I’m gonna be in that position to do that.”
The advice labored.
“Just hearing that from those two guys, I was coming into the game timid, like, I don’t want to mess up what they got going on,” Lendeborg said. “They pretty much just gave me free roam. So they helped me out, and from then, I just vowed to be a little more aggressive in each night.”
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In their 119-114 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 28, Curry scored a season-high 44 factors. Lendeborg was the group’s secondary option with 26 factors and 9 rebounds. He had seven turnovers but that’s a half of the alternative for growth that Curry and Green instructed him about.
“I was telling (Luka) he sucks. He can’t score on me,” Lendeborg said after the sport. “You talk and you can’t score on me. I said it the whole game.”
Lendeborg said he “lost all respect” for Dončić after the sport because the Lakers famous person was complaining to the officers for calls. Dončić scored 28 factors on 7-for-18 taking pictures from the discipline and added eight rebounds and seven assists.
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“It’s about him complaining the entire game. And then you get foul call. Congratulations, bro,” Lendeborg said. ”And then you talk to me, like you did something great, bro. Come on, now. It kind of threw me off for a little while, ’cause, you know, like I said, I had so much respect for him. Gone.”
Lendeborg gets his next alternative Friday, as the Warriors look to win their third consecutive sport and get back to .500 on the season as they host the Lakers at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. PT/10 p.m. ET.
