Ex-luka Dončić Teammate Sends Warning To Yaxel Lendeborg After Trash-talk

Ex-Luka Dončić teammate sends warning to Yaxel Lendeborg after trash-talk originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Luka Dončić’s former teammate has a warning for Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg.

Dallas Mavericks forward Naji Marshall, who played with Dončić in Dallas before the current Los Angeles Lakers’ star was traded, commented on an Instagram post featuring Lendeborg’s postgame remarks on Thursday. Marshall wrote, “80 ball next time they play never speak on the DON”

Marshall has been vocal about his bond with Dončić before, calling him “my dog” on a podcast last year after the trade.

The warning follows a heated NBA debut for the Warriors rookie. Lendeborg and Dončić traded verbal blows throughout Wednesday’s 127-105 Golden State loss at Crypto.com Arena, with Lendeborg picking up a technical foul before halftime. Afterward, he did not soften anything.

“I was telling him he sucks,” Lendeborg said. “He can’t score on me.”

He also said the experience cost Dončić his respect.

“Being in there firsthand, just watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect, man,” Lendeborg said.

The numbers back up part of his case. Dončić scored 28 points on 7-of-18 shooting, but he shot 1-of-5 with Lendeborg as his primary defender and committed two turnovers in those matchups. Dončić also went 6 of 6 at the free-throw line with Lendeborg on him, which fits Lendeborg’s own complaint about the whistle. Lendeborg said Dončić’s only basket against him was a half-court banker at the end of the first half. 

Lendeborg has support in his own locker room. Draymond Green said in the locker room that Lendeborg should keep talking, saying, “Respect, you earn respect,” and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith has also voiced support. 

Marshall’s comment reads as a playful dare, but the rematch is already circled. The Warriors host Dončić and the Lakers in San Francisco in less than two weeks on Oct. 30.

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