Golden State earned its fourth win in a row on Sunday night, getting past the Los Angeles Clippers 124-112 even while sitting Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg took center stage with a career-best 37 points and six assists, carrying the Warriors in a standout showing.
Lendeborg connected on 13 of 19 shots from the floor, including six of 11 from three-point range. His point total was the most by a Warriors rookie since Curry put up 42 against Portland on April 14, 2010.
Yaxel Lendeborg powers Warriors past Clippers
Lendeborg rattled off five straight points midway through the third quarter, helping Golden State build its largest advantage of the night at 83-68. It marked his fourth game with at least 20 points, and he has now produced two 30-point outings in his first seven appearances. That feat places him alongside Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Rick Barry as the only other Warriors players to accomplish it.
The rookie bounced back strongly after fouling out in Friday’s win over the Lakers. Brandon Williams gave another key lift off the bench with 17 points, while Golden State’s reserves totaled 40.
Brandin Podziemski shook off a slow beginning to finish with 17 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. De’Anthony Melton chipped in 21 points as the Warriors kept building momentum after dropping their first three games of the season.
Clippers drop fifth consecutive game without Curry and Green
Rui Hachimura paced the Clippers with 24 points, while Kobe Sanders added 16 from the bench. It was their fifth loss in a row, with both teams navigating the opening game of a back-to-back set.
Golden State rested Curry and Green ahead of the second game on consecutive nights. Even without them, the Warriors extended their winning streak behind Lendeborg and a balanced team effort.
The game also came on the heels of a memorable night for the Golden State Valkyries, who captured the WNBA championship with a dramatic Game 7 win over the Atlanta Dream on Saturday. Gabby Williams, Tiffany Hayes, and Kiah Stokes drew a warm ovation as they entered Chase Center during the first quarter, and the team was recognized at midcourt in the first half.
The arena crew had a hectic weekend, swapping the court after Friday’s Warriors game and then setting it up again following Saturday’s WNBA Finals.