Yaxel Lendeborg scored a career-best 37 points as the Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 124-112 on Sunday, extending their winning streak to four games without Stephen Curry. The rookie added six assists and four rebounds in a performance that helped the seven-time NBA champions continue their recovery from a difficult start to the season.
Selected 11th overall in the 2026 NBA draft, the 24-year-old American-Dominican forward recorded the highest scoring total by a Warriors rookie since Curry scored 42 in 2010. Golden State also played without Draymond Green, leaving Lendeborg at the centre of an attack that has responded to three consecutive defeats to open the campaign. The Warriors missed the playoffs last season.
Curry sat out Sunday's game to manage his troublesome right knee. The 38-year-old had averaged 33 points across his previous three appearances, including a 44-point outing against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. Lendeborg said he wanted to maintain his enjoyment of the game, adding that he might occasionally include dance moves like Curry's while continuing to play with a smile.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr praised the rookie's early contribution, saying his skill and talent were allowing him to make plays while he was still adjusting to the speed of NBA basketball. Kerr expects further improvement from Lendeborg and described his impact during the opening weeks of the season as remarkable.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Luka Doncic finished with 45 points and 15 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the Toronto Raptors 131-125. Los Angeles moved ahead early in the first quarter and remained in front throughout, although Toronto cut into a deficit that had reached 26 points. Jamison Battle scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, prompting Lakers coach JJ Redick to bring his starters back for the final minute to secure the result.
The Boston Celtics extended their own winning run to five games with a 108-97 victory over the Orlando Magic. Jayson Tatum led Boston with 32 points and seven assists. Poor shooting allowed the Celtics' 15-point advantage to disappear in the third quarter, but their defence helped them regain control. Boston forced 18 turnovers and converted them into 21 points, while Paul George contributed 17 points, eight assists, two steals and two blocks.
Brooklyn earned its first victory of the season by beating the Indiana Pacers 98-90. Michael Porter Jr led the Nets with 23 points and collected nine rebounds as the team improved to 1-5. The result left the Sacramento Kings, at 0-6, as the NBA's only remaining winless team.
The NBA also announced a one-game suspension without pay for Atlanta Hawks guard Kingston Flemings on Sunday. Flemings was punished for intentionally elbowing New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens in the head late in Atlanta's 121-99 defeat on Saturday. He was ejected for the incident.
