Lendeborg Arrives — Loudly
Michigan's most talked-about NBA rookie didn't wait long to make his presence felt. Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State's 11th-overall pick in the 2026 draft, turned his opening week into a two-act drama: first a blowout loss, then a near triple-double, all wrapped in one of the league's spiciest rookie storylines in recent memory.
It started ugly. In his NBA debut on Wednesday, Oct. 22, the Warriors were dismantled by the Lakers 127-105, with Luka Dončić dropping 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. Lendeborg finished with 12 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists in 28 minutes — but it was what happened between whistles that captured the league's attention. Lendeborg accused the Lakers of flopping and, by his own account, told Dončić directly that "he sucks," later saying he "lost all respect" for the perennial MVP candidate over his "whining and complaining." Dončić didn't stay quiet either — a lip-reader-analyzed video made the rounds showing the full exchange, and a half-court buzzer-beater Dončić banked in at halftime, punctuated with a pointed look at the rookie, only added fuel.
Lendeborg didn't dial it back. By Saturday, after Golden State's 111-108 loss to Memphis, he was doubling down in the locker room: "He's not Michael Jordan. I'm not afraid." For his part, Dončić had labeled the 24-year-old an "old rookie" — a jab Lendeborg addressed with what teammates described as surprising composure, crediting veteran Brandin Podziemski for helping him manage the noise.
The performance on Saturday, though, backed up the bravado. Lendeborg put up 18 points, 13 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals in 37 minutes against the Grizzlies — a line Yahoo Sports noted accomplished a feat not seen from a Warriors rookie in decades. He wore a throwback Warriors jersey after the game. The moment fit.
Wagner Carrying Orlando's Load
Franz Wagner is quietly having a strong early stretch for a Magic team navigating life without Paolo Banchero. Over the week, the former Michigan wing posted 22 points and 5 assists in Wednesday's loss to Atlanta, then followed with 18 points and 5 assists Friday against Minnesota — steady production for a player Sports Illustrated identified as one of the key figures Orlando needs to step up in Banchero's absence.
Mara Making Noise in OKC
Michigan's other notable rookie, 7-foot-3 Aday Mara, is settling in with the Thunder after a baptism-by-fire opening stretch. He logged 7 points, 2 rebounds, and a block in 11 minutes during OKC's 116-104 win over the Spurs, then played 12 minutes against Denver — facing Nikola Jokic two games after his debut against Victor Wembanyama. His description of the experience: "crazy." Coach Mark Daigneault offered a measured assessment, suggesting Mara's limited minutes told only part of the story. Yahoo Sports noted his debut gave the Thunder a credible answer to Wembanyama's size.
Around the Rest of the Alumni
Duncan Robinson had the week's most efficient game among returning Michigan pros, scoring 17 points with a +22 plus-minus in Detroit's 128-111 dismantling of Miami on Saturday, just days after dropping 21 in a win over Boston. Jordan Poole chipped in 12 points and 3 steals for New Orleans in a narrow loss to Utah. Kobe Bufkin, meanwhile, was waived by the Pelicans, with reports linking him to a potential reunion with the Lakers' G League affiliate.
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