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The Warriors had back-to-back exhibition games on Tuesday against the Lakers and Wednesday against the Trail Blazers.
Here are our takeaways:
1. Yaxel Lendeborg has arrived
In Tuesday’s game against the Lakers, Yaxel Lendeborg was the main story. The Warriors’ 11th pick in the NBA draft looks ready to contribute, which is music to Golden State’s ears considering it will be without Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody for the first few months of the season and Kristaps Porzingis indefinitely.
Lendeborg had 17 points in the first half on 7-for-11 shooting from the field, including going 2-for-3 from deep in the Warriors’ 124-98 win over the Lakers. He also had nine rebounds for his second straight preseason game.
The Warriors are going to need the 6-foot-9 Lendeborg to make an immediate impact as a scorer and rebounder. That’s why they drafted the 24-year-old forward. He appeared NBA ready.
So far, he has lived up to those expectations.
He led the Warriors to a championship in Las Vegas in summer league play while winning the MVP Award. And he has delivered in the team’s exhibition games, making a strong case for him to get some big NBA minutes as a rookie.
2. The Warriors could have some depth
Steph Curry looked good against the Lakers, finishing with 16 points in 14 minutes. Draymond Green looked sharp, finishing with eight assists, three points, two rebounds and one steal in 15 minutes.
But what was most impressive is that the Warriors won handily with their star players hardly playing.
Four players scored in double figures, including Curry, Lendeborg, Brandin Podziemski and Brandon Williams.
The Warriors finished with 44 rebounds, 32 assists and only 10 turnovers.
It’s only preseason, so you can’t read too much into any of this. But if Butler looks good when he returns from his torn ACL in a few months, maybe the Warriors will be better than everyone thinks.
3. The guys fighting for roster spots were put on blast
Nine players didn’t travel to Portland for the Warriors game against the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, including Curry, Green, Al Horford, Podziemski, De’Anthony Melton, Gary Payton II, Gui Santos, Georges Niang and Lendeborg.
Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers fielded what could be their starting lineup in Deni Avdija, Toumani Camara, Donovan Clingan, Damian Lillard and Ja Morant.
The Warriors put up a fight in their 123-118 loss, with a few guys making notable contributions.
Dalen Terry nearly recorded a triple-double with 23 points (9-for-18 from the field, 4-for-5 from 3), eight rebounds, nine assists and four steals in 43 minutes. He’s on an Exhibit 9 contract and is trying to earn a roster spot.
Miles Kelly, who is eligible for a two-way contract, added 24 points (8-for-16 from the field, 6-for-11 from 3), seven rebounds and six assists in 28 minutes. On the other side of the spectrum, two-way player Malevy Leons struggled, finishing with as many turnovers as made shots (two).
