Yaxel Lendeborg scores 37 points as Warriors win 4th in row - ESPN

SAN FRANCISCO — After reaching 30 points only once in his 112 career college games, Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has already eclipsed 30 points twice in the first two weeks of his professional career.

The latest chapter of Lendeborg's explosion onto the NBA scene came in Sunday night's 124-112 win over the LA Clippers. Lendeborg made 13 of 19 shots, including six 3-pointers, and finished with 37 points, the most for a Warriors rookie since Stephen Curry in 2010.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Warriors opted to rest Curry and Draymond Green, saving the duo for Monday night against the Phoenix Suns while clearing the Sunday runway for Lendeborg.

«Whenever Steph's not in the game, it's my opportunity to try to be the leader, be the main guy on the team,» Lendeborg said.

After three years in junior college, Lendeborg averaged 13.8 and 17.7 points during his two seasons at UAB and 15.1 during last season's national championship run at Michigan. He's a capable scorer but entered the draft with a reputation as a skilled, do-everything wing who best fits as an ancillary part of an offensive attack.

But the Warriors have been in desperate need of a second scoring option next to Curry since Jimmy Butler tore an ACL last January, and Lendeborg has stunned many — including himself — with his readiness to step into that role.

«We knew he was a good shooter,» coach Steve Kerr said. «When he came into work out for us [in June], you could see the skill. But I didn't expect what I saw tonight.»

Lendeborg rarely attempted 3s for most of his college career, averaging only one attempt per game at UAB. Upon arrival on Michigan's campus, he said then-assistant coach Mike Boynton convinced him to crank up the volume