Yaxel Lendeborg’s defensive debut against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night in Las Vegas was far from smooth, as the Warriors rookie faced a daunting challenge guarding Walker Kessler during Golden State’s preseason win. Thrust into the center position for over six minutes across three stretches, Lendeborg struggled to contain the 7-foot-2 Lakers big man, highlighting the gap between his offensive promise and defensive readiness.
The night began with a surprise assignment from coach Frank Vogel, who informed Lendeborg he would be guarding Luka Dončić. The 24-year-old forward recalled his reaction: “I said, ‘What the f-?’” Vogel gave no detailed advice, only noting Dončić’s league-leading 33.5 points per game average in the 2025-26 season and telling Lendeborg, “Nobody can stop him. Do your best.” That matchup never materialized, as the Lakers rested Dončić for the preseason game.
Instead, Lendeborg’s trial came against Kessler, who was making his preseason debut for Los Angeles. The rookie’s defensive miscues were visible early. In one first-quarter sequence, he backpedaled trying to stay with Kessler but watched Austin Reaves shake off Brandin Podziemski for an easy layup. In the second quarter, he failed to box out Kessler on a tip dunk and gave Reaves too much space off a pick-and-roll, allowing the Lakers guard to penetrate.
Lendeborg’s defensive struggles did not go unnoticed by the Lakers’ coaching staff. Head coach JJ Redick said pregame he was “really impressed” by Lendeborg but made a point of attacking him on defense. By halftime, the rookie’s body language reflected the challenge — his shoulders drooped, and his movements slowed as he grappled with the speed and complexity of NBA defensive schemes.
“Just learning my coverages, man,” Lendeborg told the Chronicle after the game. “I messed up a bunch of coverages today. I was in the wrong spots a lot of times, and I just keep putting myself out of position. So, it’s definitely a lot of questions that I need to ask, and a lot more reps that are going to be coming up soon.”
The Warriors are counting on Lendeborg to fill the center spot in small-ball lineups when other big men sit out. “Especially with how the team looks with the bigs — it’s going to be a lot of games where they won’t be playing,” he said. “So I’ll have to step up and play that 5-man role. So I’m going to do a lot of self-reflecting and a lot of asking questions, watching film these next two days.”
Despite defensive issues, Lendeborg’s offensive output this preseason has exceeded expectations. The Michigan product is averaging 24.4 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per 36 minutes, establishing himself as one of the league’s most dangerous transition players. Yet, his defensive development will determine how effectively he can serve as a point center.
Lendeborg has been candid about his defensive shortcomings. “I would say, like, probably 5 out of 10, honestly,” he said last week when evaluating his defense. “I’m not really playing as aggressively as I did last year, on the ball. I’m worried about pretty much just everything else that’s going on right now. I’m still getting new to all the different coverages, the different lingos ’round here.”
Coach Steve Kerr has pointed out specific habits that need correction. Lendeborg tends to stand too upright on defense instead of getting into a proper stance, which allowed players like Reaves to blow past him multiple times during the game. When engaged, however, Lendeborg’s defensive potential is evident. In one first-quarter play, he intercepted a pass intended for Reaves and immediately found De’Anthony Melton for a transition assist.
Lendeborg’s size, with a 7-foot-3 wingspan and over 240 pounds, gives him the physical tools to become an impactful defender. Kerr and Vogel are looking to develop him into a player who can handle the league’s top scorers, especially with the Warriors lacking point-of-attack defenders in the absence of Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody.
“I feel like I have a high basketball IQ — just, like, when it comes to those things, I can’t do what I did in college,” Lendeborg said. “Because it’s not going to work here.”
The Warriors will continue to test and develop Lendeborg’s defensive game in the coming weeks as the regular season approaches. For now, his night guarding Walker Kessler was a tough lesson in the NBA’s defensive demands.
According to Yahoo Sports.
