After Golden State Warriors All-Star Stephen Curry's MRI confirmed an oblique tear, ESPN's Stephen A Smith is anticipating that rookie Yaxel Lendeborg will step up for his team. While ESPN's Kendrick Perkins argues that it's Draymond Green who needs to step up for the Warriors, Smith believes Golden State's rookie is ready.

Lendeborg is off to an impressive start to his NBA career with the Warriors, which is why Smith says it's his time to help make up for the short-term loss of Curry, he said, per ESPN's First Take.

“When I look at Yaxxel Lendeborg, I love this kid. I'm a huge fan of [Yaxel Lendeborg] and what he can bring to the table,” Smith said. “Nobody is Steph Curry. But I do think that he is somebody that you can give the ball to a little bit more, and be a bit more active as a team, offensively, with him leading the way.”

While Stephen A Smith says Draymond Green and Yaxel Lendeborg should both help make up for the Warriors losing Stephen Curry, he's anticipating the rookie will make the most significant leap in his production.

“Dray gotta step up,” Smith said. “And Dray gotta be a bit more efficient and aggressive offensively, but not to the degree that you're insisting upon. He can't be averaging three points. I got that. I totally get you. But I don't wanna hear it if he's giving you 10 or 11 points, that's about his range. If he's playmaking, if he's defending, if he's leading in other ways; that's alright. That's Draymond.”

"I'm a huge fan of [Yaxel Lendeborg] and what he can bring to the table."

—@stephenasmith on who needs to step up for the Warriors in Steph Curry's absence 👀 pic.twitter.com/QTxuwy7YDi

— First Take (@FirstTake) November 13, 2026

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The Warriors will face the San Antonio Spurs in an NBA Cup matchup on Friday.