Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic gave Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg a true NBA welcome without even stepping on the court. The Lakers, playing shorthanded, lost their preseason game against the Warriors 101-89 on October 13, a result that followed a 106-121 preseason loss to the Denver Nuggets on October 16. Doncic was a late scratch, but the mere threat of facing the league's reigning scoring champion was enough to rattle the first-year player.
Before the game, Warriors assistant coach Frank Vogel informed Lendeborg he would be the primary defender on Doncic. The rookie's reaction was immediate and unfiltered. "I said, 'What the f--k?'" Lendeborg admitted with a laugh after the contest. He tried to play it cool, but the fear was real. "I tried to act, like, all cool, and not spooked," he said. "But I was spooked, man. That's crazy."
Vogel's advice was simple, acknowledging the monumental task. "Nobody can stop him; do your best," the coach told him. That directive left Lendeborg's mind racing until he got the news that Doncic wouldn't suit up. It was a massive relief for the rookie, who then had to battle Lakers big man Walker Kessler in the paint instead.
Lendeborg's candid fear highlights the immense respect and intimidation factor Doncic commands across the NBA. He led the league with 33.5 points per game last season, and opponents know containing him is a near-impossible job. This psychological edge is a tangible asset for the Lakers as they build their new-look roster around their Slovenian star.
Doncic himself has expressed confidence in the team's depth this offseason. With several new faces joining the core, the Lakers are looking to build a more versatile and resilient squad. The preseason has been a mixed bag, with wins over the Sacramento Kings (127-103 on October 5 and 114-110 on October 8) and losses to the Warriors (98-124 on October 6) and Nuggets. These games are testing that depth without key players in the lineup.
The preseason schedule concludes with a quick rematch against the Warriors. The Los Angeles Lakers host Golden State at home on October 21, offering a final tune-up before the regular season begins. It's another chance for the team's role players to gel and for the coaching staff to finalize rotations.
Whether Doncic plays or not, his presence looms large. For the Lakers, integrating their new pieces around a superstar who can frighten opponents from the bench is the central challenge. The team's progress can be tracked through our stats page as the season gets underway. One thing is certain: Luka Doncic will be giving many more defenders sleepless nights this year.
