Yaxel Lendeborg’s rapid rocket ride into the galaxy is, six games into NBA Summer League, descending back toward Earth. The Warriors could not have scripted it any better.The rookie introduced himself with savvy passes, rebounds in traffic, forceful drives to the hoop and deep shooting that was too fantastic to sustain. He didn’t do more than enough to drizzle a fine mist of optimism over Warriors fans, who, while waiting for a LeBron James decision, are longing for any reason to cheer.
Through Lendeborg’s first four games – two in the California Classic, two in Las Vegas – the team’s 2026 lottery pick, No. 11 overall, did plenty to satisfy his new employer. His shooting was particularly impressive, as the 6-foot-9, 240-pound forward was 13 of 21 (61.9 percent) from deep.
The next two games brought a dose of reality. Lendeborg on Thursday delivered his poorest scoring performance yet: a scoreless first half, finishing with 1-of 9 shooting from the field, including 1 of 6 from deep, in an 87-77 win over the New York Knicks. He played 28 minutes, scoring three points.
Two nights earlier, the Warriors...