He was supposed to guard Luka Dončić — an assignment many veteran defenders don’t wish to have, let alone a rookie.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.
This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Lendeborg, the No.11 overall pick coming out of the national-champion Michigan Wolverines program, told reporters that he was just on his phone before the game when assistant Warriors coach Frank Vogel came up to him and said something that left him baffled.CLICK HERE FOR MORE OUTKICK SPORTS COVERAGEYaxel Lendeborg of the Golden State Warriors shoots a free throw against the Los Angeles Lakers in the second quarter of a preseason game at T-Mobile Arena on Oct.
13, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nev.The Warriors defeated the Lakers 101-89.
(Getty Images)"’Hey, you’re guarding Luka tonight,’" Lendeborg said."I said, ‘What the f---? You’re just gonna throw me in the fire?’"To be honest, not an over-exaggerative answer at all for a rookie trying to get acclimated to the league.Lendeborg’s reaction was genuine because he didn’t think his assignment would be the Lakers’ star player and one of the most prolific offensive weapons in the league when he’s on the court.Ultimately, Lakers head coach JJ Redick decided to rest Dončić, leading to Lendeborg matching up with center Walker Kessler, who debuted this preseason for Los Angeles.
The Warriors ended up winning the game, 101-89.LUKA DONČIĆ SAYS HE 'DEFINITELY' REGRETS PLAYING THROUGH HAMSTRING INJURY THAT ENDED HIS SEASON"It was a complete shift of what I had planned in my mind," Lendeborg said about gearing up for the game before hearing the Dončić news.Lendeborg is, however, a solid defender, winning Defensive Player of the Year in the AAC with UAB before becoming a first-team all-defense member in the Big Ten during his season at Michigan in 2025.Guarding Dončić is compl...