Yaxel Lendeborg says Luka Doncic lost his respect after Warriors clash

Yaxel Lendeborg says he has lost respect for Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic after their heated exchange during the Lakers’ 127-105 victory over Golden State Warriors in the NBA.

The confrontation took place during a game in which Lendeborg was assigned to defend the Slovenian during the first half. The Warriors rookie attempted to unsettle Doncic and restrict his influence, but the Lakers forward responded with 28 points, including 23 before half-time.

During the exchange, Doncic was heard telling Lendeborg: “What are you complaining about? You can’t even guard me.”

Lendeborg gave his version of the incident after the game, saying: “I told him he couldn’t score on me. He talks a lot, but he can’t score against me.”

He added: “I kept saying that to him throughout the game. Of course, I used some language as well, which is why I got a technical foul, but I was making my position clear.”

The tension increased after Doncic scored against Lendeborg and continued to provoke him. The Lakers player then completed a first-half performance featuring a three-pointer from halfway near the end of the opening period.

Doncic was asked about the confrontation after the final whistle and said: “Everyone knows that when somebody starts talking, a different side of his personality comes out. That’s what happened.”

Lendeborg said he had held Doncic in high regard before facing him in person, but changed his view after seeing the way the Lakers star reacted during the contest.

“I respected him a lot because I hadn’t watched many NBA games,” Lendeborg said. “I had only seen the highlights, watching him dominate his opponents. But when I faced him myself and saw all the complaining and arguing, I lost respect for him.”

Golden State head coach Steve Kerr also criticised the officials’ decisions during the game, particularly the technical fouls involving Doncic.

Kerr said: “He committed three fouls that probably would not have been called fouls in any other league in the world, but this is the NBA and he has to learn to deal with these things.”

The result completed a dominant win for the Lakers, while the dispute between Doncic and Lendeborg became one of the main talking points from the game.