Yaxel Lendeborg already accomplished an NBA feat we haven't seen in over 30 years

Golden State Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg 11th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, hoping the 24-year-old forward would make an immediate impact. Instead, Lendeborg has surpassed expectations, averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists over the team's first five games. In a rookie class packed with talent, Lendeborg has risen to the top, displaying both high ceilings and strong fundamentals.

His impressive performance has catapulted him into an exclusive group of NBA players – Patrick Ewing, David Robinson and Shaquille O Neal – who also achieved scoring 85-plus points and grabbing 35-plus rebounds in their first four games since the 1985-86 season. OptaSTATS highlighted Lendeborg's remarkable feat, noting that only these three players have accomplished this in the draft lottery era.

This remarkable accomplishment sets Lendeborg apart among elite big men, solidifying his status alongside the NBA's greatest centers. While the Warriors began their season with a 3-0 record, Lendeborg's stellar play has been particularly noteworthy, especially when considering his immediate rapport with teammates Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Although the Warriors suffered early setbacks, they have since bounced back with two consecutive wins against the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.