Warriors rookie's stunned reaction to Doncic assignment goes viral

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 22:08 · Archive

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg's shocked response to being told he would guard Luka Doncic in a preseason game has gone viral.

Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg was told by assistant coach Frank Vogel he would guard Luka Doncic in a preseason game against the Lakers on Tuesday night. The No. 11 overall pick said he was on his phone when Vogel informed him of the assignment, causing a stunned reaction that has since gone viral. 'I said, "What the f–k? You're just gonna throw me in the fire?"' Lendeborg recalled, adding that he tried to appear calm but 'was spooked'. He noted the assignment was 'a complete shift of what I had planned in my mind'.

Lendeborg, a national champion from Michigan, is regarded as a solid defender. He won Defensive Player of the Year in the American Athletic Conference and was a first-team all-defence member in the Big Ten. However, Lakers coach JJ Redick gave Doncic the night off, so Lendeborg instead matched up with centre Walker Kessler, who made his preseason debut for Los Angeles. The Warriors won the exhibition game 101-89.

How it is being reported

• Warriors rookie's reaction to learning he'd guard Lakers superstar Luka Dončić goes viral: 'What the f---?'Yaxel Lendeborg revealed his stunned reaction when Frank Vogel told him he'd guard Luka Dončić in the Golden State Warriors' preseason game.Fox News · 15 Oct, 21:47
• Moment Warriors rookie learns he’s guarding Luka Doncic goes viral: ‘What the f–k’Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg got a taste for how quickly things can change in the NBA.New York Post · 15 Oct, 19:22

In this story: Yaxel Lendeborg · Luka Doncic · Golden State Warriors · Los Angeles Lakers · Frank Vogel · JJ Redick · Walker Kessler

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