Luka Dončić’s Former Teammate Warns Warriors’ Yaxel Lendeborg – NBC Sports Bay Area & California
Luka Dončić’s former teammate has a warning for Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.
Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, who played with Dončić in Dallas before the current Los Angeles Lakers star was traded, commented on an Instagram post Thursday featuring Lendeborg’s postgame remarks. Marshall wrote: “80 balls next time they play, never talk about the DON”
Marshall has previously spoken about his bond with Dončić, calling him “my dog” on a podcast last year after the trade.
The warning follows a rocky NBA debut for the Warriors rookie. Lendeborg and Dončić traded verbal jabs throughout Golden State’s 127-105 loss Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena, with Lendeborg committing a technical foul before halftime. Afterwards, he did not soften anything.
“I was telling him he sucked,” Lendeborg said. “He can’t score against me.”
He also said that this experience cost Dončić his respect.
“Being in there, watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect, man,” Lendeborg said.
The numbers partly support his case. Dončić scored 28 points on 7-of-18 shooting, but he shot 1-of-5 with Lendeborg as the primary defender and committed two turnovers in those matchups. Dončić also went 6 of 6 from the free throw line with Lendeborg on him, which fits Lendeborg’s complaint about the whistle. Lendeborg said Dončić’s only basket against him was a half-court banker late in the first half.
Lendeborg has support in his own dressing room. Draymond Green said in the locker room that Lendeborg should keep speaking out, saying, “Respect, you deserve respect,” and Stephen A. Smith of ESPN also expressed support.
Marshall’s comment reads like a playful challenge, but revenge is already circled. The Warriors will host Dončić and the Lakers in San Francisco in less than two weeks on October 30.
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