Doncic's Halfcourt Heist & Rookie Roast: Lendeborg Loses Respect
Luka Doncic’s halfcourt buzzer-beater sparked a fiery exchange with Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who said he lost all respect after the game [1][2].
Lakers superstar Luka Doncic delivered a stunning 48-foot halfcourt shot at halftime to seal a dominant 66-52 lead, capping a 32-19 second-quarter blowout against the Golden State Warriors [1]. The moment was punctuated by Doncic pointing at and taunting rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, who had just been subbed out after a heated exchange [2].
The clash began in the second quarter when Doncic drew a shooting foul on Lendeborg after a pump fake, then engaged in relentless trash talk, prompting the 6-foot-9 forward to call the move 'weak ass shit' [2]. Lendeborg, the No. 11 pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, later received a technical foul for yelling at Doncic during transition play, saying he 'sucks' and that Doncic couldn’t score on him.
Despite holding Doncic to 1-of-6 shooting as his primary defender, Lendeborg said he lost all respect for the superstar after witnessing what he described as constant complaining and 'foul baiting' [2]. The Warriors’ coach Steve Kerr called the technical 'ridiculous,' noting that both players were jawing, but acknowledged Doncic’s final shot and taunt may have warranted a technical of their own.
Doncic finished the first half with 23 points, including 10 in the second quarter, and orchestrated a 17-4 run that shifted momentum [1]. The Lakers went on to win 127-105, building a 35-point lead by the third quarter [2].
Lendeborg, who scored 12 points in 29 minutes and became the first Warriors rookie to start on opening night since James Wiseman in 2020, said he wasn’t deterred by the moment [2]. Draymond Green backed him, saying 'go at his ass again' the next time they meet, dismissing the idea that rookies should show deference.
The claim that Doncic intentionally baited Lendeborg into a foul is based solely on Lendeborg’s account and has not been confirmed by officials or independent sources [2].
The teams are set to rematch on October 30 in San Francisco, with the tension already boiling [2]. The story was first reported by New York Post and ESPN.
Sources
This article is based on reporting by the outlets below.
- New York Post: Lakers’ Luka Doncic hits halfcourt shot, chirps at Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg
- ESPN: Warriors rookie Lendeborg says he 'lost all respect' for Luka after testy matchup
