The Los Angeles Lakers got a win in their 2026-27 NBA season opener, defeating the Golden State Warriors, 127-105. But one of the main storylines to come out of the game was Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg talking trash to Lakers star Luka Doncic.
Luka Doncic obviously got the better of Yaxel Lendeborg during the Lakers’ win, but the Warriors’ rookie continued his verbal assault postgame claiming he lost respect for the six-time All-Star due to his antics throughout the night. It certainly makes for an interesting storyline for the next time these two teams meet, next week on Oct. 30, and Doncic’s former Dallas Mavericks teammate Naji Marshall entered the chat with a stern warning for the ambitious rookie.
“80 ball next time they play,” Marshall posted on social media. “Never talk speak on the DON.”
Article Continues BelowThe Lakers’ star has definitely gained a reputation as a player who only kicks it into another gear when opposing teams try and talk trash. One famous incident was last season during a game between the Lakers and the Chicago Bulls. Bulls wing Matas Buzelis made the mistake of trying to get Doncic off his game with a little chirping, and Doncic responded with a 51-point performance in a double-digit victory.
Against the Warriors on opening night, Doncic finished with a game-high 28 points, shooting 5-of-12 from the 3-point line and a perfect 9-of-9 from the free-throw line. He did not play the entire fourth quarter. And to top it off, with Lendeborg in his ear, he buried a halfcourt shot right before the halftime buzzer.

