Warriors and Thunder drafted for opposite needs in Yaxel Lendeborg-Aday Mara twist
Injury and health misfortunate has meant the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder wound up drafting for opposite needs with their lottery picks.
Latest news and updates about the Warriors
Injury and health misfortunate has meant the Golden State Warriors and Oklahoma City Thunder wound up drafting for opposite needs with their lottery picks.
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg sparks the Warriors’ first win of the 2026‑27 season, dropping 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a 20‑point victory over the Denver Nuggets. With Stephen Curry limited to a +7 plus‑minus, Lendeborg’s all‑around performance earns him a glowing endorsement from Bill Simmons, who likens the rookie to a mid‑2010s LeBron James and claims he may have “saved the Steph era.” Curry still shines with perfect shooting, and Golden State now heads to Minnesota before facing the Lakers.
Anthony Edwards will undergo arthroscopic right‑knee surgery, sidelining the Minnesota Timberwolves' star guard for an estimated six to eight weeks. ESPN’s Shams Charania reports a late‑December return, meaning Edwards misses roughly 25–27 regular‑season games and is out of contention for the NBA’s 65‑game award threshold. Minnesota must lean on LaMelo Ball, Jonathan Kuminga, Jaden McDaniels and Ayo Dosunmu to sustain its offense and defensive identity as it faces Western Conference foes like Golden State and Denver.
A disastrous start for the Miami Heat means the Golden State Warriors' dream of landing Giannis Antetokounmpo may not be over after all.
After the Warriors' win over Denver, Stephen Curry celebrated his wife Ayesha’s new starring role in the Roku film *Second Chance Holiday*, set to debut on November 5. The trailer has already racked up 2.5 million views, and Curry praised Ayesha on X, saying, “this is just the beginning.” The project marks her first lead film role, building on past acting gigs like *Whittaker Bay* and recent parts in *Irish Wish* (2024) and *Joy to the World* (2025). The article also notes the couple’s recent 15‑year wedding anniversary, their Broadway co‑production successes, and Curry’s ongoing support for Ayesha’s evolving career.
The Minnesota Timberwolves lose star guard Anthony Edwards to an arthroscopic knee surgery that could sideline him up to two months, ending a promising 3‑1 start to the 2026‑27 season. Edwards logged a career‑best 47‑point, 41‑minute overtime loss to Cleveland before the injury resurfaced a runner’s‑knee issue from last year. Veteran Eddie Johnson, a 1989 Sixth Man of the Year, slammed modern conditioning on X, calling the spate of early‑season injuries an “epidemic” and urging longer training camps. With Edwards out for roughly 25 games, the Wolves must reshuffle their lineup ahead of a matchup with the Golden State Warriors, jeopardizing any MVP chase.
Jonathan Kuminga, now with the Minnesota Timberwolves, gets his first chance at revenge against the Golden State Warriors. After a modest 1-for-9 showing in his lone 2024 meeting with the Warriors as an Atlanta Hawk, Kuminga returns on a one‑year, $6.1 million deal, averaging 11.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists. With All‑Star Anthony Edwards sidelined for up to two months following knee surgery, Kuminga is expected to shoulder much of the scoring load when the Wolves face Steve Kerr’s squad. The article also notes the motivational "They didn’t want you!" tradition popularized by Klay Thompson and highlights the matchup against fellow former Warrior Yaxel Lendeborg.
Yaxel Lendeborg is showing just how quick of a learner he is after a dominant performance for the Golden State Warriors in Denver on Monday night.
The Minnesota Timberwolves (3-1) host the Golden State Warriors (1-3) on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 7 PM CT in Minneapolis. After a loss to Cleveland, the Wolves aim to bounce back despite shooting under 70% from the line and committing 42 turnovers in recent back‑to‑backs. Key storylines include TJ Shannon Jr.’s surge—averaging over double his points and shooting 50% from three—and Jonathan Kuminga’s chance to prove himself against a Warriors lineup lacking size, with Draymond Green and Al Horford anchoring the post. The game streams on DAZN‑MN and Kare 11, with radio on 830 WCCO.
Anthony Edwards' knee injury takes a major sting out of what will be a fascinating battle between the Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Phoenix Suns' defense has unraveled early in the 2026‑27 season, allowing 123.7 points per game—the fifth most in the league—and posting the worst defensive rating (124.5). In just three games they’ve surrendered 143 points to Portland, 122 to a weakened Golden State squad, and 125 to Oklahoma City, while ranking 29th in perimeter defense (opponents shooting 40.7% from three) and dead‑last in rebounding at 42.9%. Injuries to Booker, Brooks, and Williams may be a factor, but the article argues the issues stem from systemic lapses, with guards penetrating unchecked and the big men arriving too late. The piece warns that without a major defensive fix, Phoenix could repeat last season’s late‑year collapse.
Golden State’s 11th‑overall pick, veteran rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, is being positioned as a serious Rookie‑of‑the‑Year contender. Coach Steve Kerr praises his pro‑ready skill set, work ethic and defensive versatility, and injuries to Jimmy Butler III, Moses Moody, Al Horford and limited Draymond Green minutes open a clear path to 30‑plus minutes per game. Lendeborg arrives after a stellar college career at Michigan—15.1 ppg, 6.8 rebounds, two defensive player of the year awards and a 7.9 win share—so the Warriors expect immediate impact on both ends of the floor.
Nikola Jokic lashes out at Nuggets fans who booed the team after an overtime win over New Orleans, declaring the detractors “not real fans” and unwelcome. Denver then drops a 20‑point loss to Golden State, but Jokic stands firm. In the Northwest, Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards battles right‑knee soreness but remains doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. Golden State. Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren misses his second straight game with patellar tendinitis, and Alex Caruso sits out with an ankle sprain. Meanwhile, former NBA star Carlos Boozer comments on Utah’s draft of Darryn Peterson over his son Cameron, praising the pick’s fit for the Jazz.
The Golden State Warriors need to move Kristaps Porzingis' contract for a useful player. The Charlotte Hornets may provide that opportunity.
The Golden State Warriors earned their first win of the season against the Denver Nuggets. It provided more than just a mark on their record.
The Denver Nuggets sit 1-2 after a home loss to the winless Golden State Warriors, and MVP Nikola Jokic is under fire for sub‑par play and outspoken digs at booing fans. Jokic says he’ll sign a long‑term extension next summer, but trade rumors could intensify if the team’s woes persist. Last season’s playoff exit exposed Denver’s lack of size and depth, and the offseason move that sent wing Peyton Watson to Cleveland left the roster unchanged. With Jokic’s shooting slumping and defensive lapses mounting, the franchise faces pressure to improve or risk losing its star.
Nikola Jokic doubles down on his criticism of Nuggets fans who booed the team. After Denver’s 134-114 loss to the Warriors, dropping the Nuggets to 1-2, Jokic told reporters the hecklers aren’t "real fans" and aren’t welcome at games. He made the remarks following a Saturday home opener where Denver rallied past the Pelicans in overtime after trailing by 23. Coach Adrian Adelman defended Jokic’s right to speak, noting the team's recent championship pedigree. The Nuggets aim to rebound against the Pelicans on Wednesday.
After a 43‑point explosion against Golden State, Devin Booker rattles off a dismal 3‑point night (1‑of‑7) as the Phoenix Suns fall to the Oklahoma City Thunder 105‑84 on Oct. 26, exposing deeper flaws. The loss highlights a hit‑or‑miss franchise star, chronic rebounding woes, and an offense lacking identity, with the Brooks‑Bridges pairing shooting just 5‑of‑20 from three. While Jalen Green posts 20 points and the bench hits 10‑of‑21 from deep, the starters struggle to sync, stall possessions, and rely too heavily on Booker. Despite early‑season optimism about continuity, the Suns appear structurally unbalanced and in need of significant adjustments to avoid repeating a 1‑4 start.
Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has become only the fourth player since the 1985‑86 draft lottery era to tally at least 85 points and 35 rebounds in his first four NBA games, joining Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing and David Robinson. He finished the stretch with 87 points, 37 rebounds, 19 assists, four steals and two blocks, averaging 21.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.8 assists. Lendeborg’s latest outing featured 31 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in a 134‑114 win over Denver, making him the first Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry (2010) with a 30‑10‑5 line. The historic start puts him in elite company early in the 2026‑27 season.
After a 119-112 defeat to the Golden State Warriors on October 27, 2026, Nuggets star Nikola Jokic warned that Denver’s defense remains a major weakness. The loss, which dropped the team to a 1-2 start to the 2026‑27 season, highlights ongoing defensive lapses that have plagued the Nuggets since last year. Jokic’s candid comments signal the urgency for improvements if Denver hopes to contend this season.
Denver Nuggets' star Nikola Jokic reaffirms his criticism of fans who boo the team, stating he won’t change his stance despite recent backlash. Jokey, who addressed the issue after a Monday loss to the Golden State Warriors, maintained that supporters should back the squad rather than silence it during home games.
Here are four NBA teams already feeling the pressure after the first week, with the Knicks, Heat, Warriors, and Magic facing some early problems.
After the Warriors’ 134-114 win over Denver, veteran Draymond Green urged credit for rookie Yaxel Lendeborg’s 31-point, 12‑rebound breakout to also include fellow youngster Brandin Podziemski, who logged 18 points, seven rebounds and a +33 plus‑minus. Green highlighted both players as key to ending Golden State’s 0‑3 start and stressed the need for consistent youth contributions as the team heads into its next road game against Minnesota.
Warriors rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg erupts for a 31‑12‑6 triple‑double in the 134‑114 win over Denver on Oct. 27, 2026, delivering the franchise’s first victory of the season. Coach Steve Kerr hails Lendeborg’s “ox‑like” strength, clutch poise and ability to draw fouls—he hit 12 of 13 free throws, a trait Kerr likens to Jimmy Butler. Kerr believes the rookie can close games and notes his developing footwork and passing. The performance instantly shifts the Warriors’ vibe heading into the rest of the season.
Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman blasted his squad for a lack of physicality and sloppy defense after a 134-114 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 27, 2026. The Warriors erupted for 74 second‑half points, went 22‑of‑44 from three, and out‑rebounded Denver 45‑32. Adelman said the breakdowns stemmed more from effort than scheme, urging a tougher, more disciplined approach moving forward.