Warriors Rookie Reveals NSFW Reaction, Being Shook Over Luka Doncic Assignment

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg tried to stay calm when assistant coach Frank Vogel told him that he might have to guard Luka Doncic. However, he felt nervous inside.

The thought of facing one of the NBA’s toughest players to defend made him uneasy. The young forward openly shared his feelings when he talked about the moment.

Yaxel Lendeborg spoke to the San Francisco Chronicle after the Warriors’ preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers. He revealed his NSFW reaction when Vogel told him about the possible assignment.

His response showed how much pressure a rookie can feel when he has to face an established NBA star.

Lendeborg did not expect Vogel to tell him that he might have to guard Doncic. When the Warriors' assistant coach gave him the news, the rookie immediately asked, “What the f***?”

However, Lendeborg tried not to show his nervousness.

“I tried to act, like, all cool, and not spooked,” Lendeborg said. “But I was spooked, man. That's crazy.”

He also shared what Vogel told him after hearing his reaction. 

According to Lendeborg, the coach said, “Nobody can stop him; do your best.”

Vogel’s words made the challenge clear. He did not expect Lendeborg to completely stop a player like Doncic. Instead, he wanted the rookie to accept the challenge and give his best effort against one of the NBA’s top offensive players.

Still, the thought of guarding Doncic stayed with Lendeborg.

“My mind was all over the place after that,” he admitted.

Doncic later missed the preseason game, so Lendeborg did not have to face him. However, the rookie still had another tough defensive challenge ahead of him.

Vogel’s message showed how difficult it is to defend Doncic. The Slovenian star can score from long range, drive toward the basket, and create scoring chances for his teammates. He also uses his strength and footwork to beat defenders.

Doncic can also control the pace of the game. Defenders must decide whether to stop his shot, block his path to the basket or cover the teammates he might pass to. Even a small mistake can give him a chance to score or set up another player.

These challenges can be even harder for a rookie still learning the NBA’s pace and defensive systems.

The San Francisco Chronicle also reported that the Warriors brought in Vogel to help improve their defense. Golden State finished 17th in defensive rating during the 2025-26 season.

His experience helps explain why the Warriors are giving Lendeborg difficult defensive tasks early in his career.

Luka Doncic sat out, but Lendeborg faced another test

Doncic did not play in the preseason game, but Warriors head coach Steve Kerr gave Lendeborg another tough assignment. The rookie had to defend Walker Kessler, the Lakers’ 7-foot-2 center.

This challenge was different from guarding Doncic. Instead of dealing with a star guard’s ball-handling and scoring, Lendeborg had to defend a much taller player. He also had to learn and follow Golden State’s defensive plans.

Yaxel Lendeborg admitted that he still had a lot to learn.

“Just learning my coverages, man,” Yaxel Lendeborg said. 

He also admitted that he made mistakes and sometimes took the wrong position during the game.

The rookie knows he must ask more questions, study game footage and get more practice.

The experience gave Lendeborg an early lesson about the demands of playing for the Warriors. He may have felt nervous when Vogel mentioned Doncic, but the assignment also showed the level of responsibility he could face as the team builds its defense.

For now, his honest reaction has shown the human side of playing in the NBA. Even a promising rookie can feel nervous when a coach asks him to guard a superstar like Doncic.