Warriors Rookie Follows Up Trash Talk With Shot at Luka Doncic

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg had some words for Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic after the Lakers won their series opener Wednesday, 127-105.

Lendeborg guarded Doncic plenty of times in the game, leading to a few heated moments during the second quarter. Lendeborg got a technical foul following an exchange between the two players, only further heating up their matchup. Doncic ultimately got the last laugh, as he finished the game with 28 points, eight rebounds and seven assists and hit a half-court shot in Lendeborg's face to close out the first half.

After the game, though, the 24-year-old rookie had some words for Doncic.

"A lot of flopping, a lot of foul baiting, a lot of playing to the ref, interesting first game for sure," Lendeborg said . "I had a lot of respect for him… But being in there firsthand, just watching all the whining, the complaining, I lost all respect. That was awful. Me getting frustrated, it isn't about the foul being called, it's about him complaining the entire game.

"…He sucks, he can't score on me. I said it the whole game."

Doncic attempted six field goals while Lendeborg guarded him and only scored one of them, but his stat line speaks for itself.

How Has the Sports World Reacted to Luka Doncic and Yaxel Lendeborg's Beef?

Despite Doncic's impressive performance on Wednesday, several personalities in the sports world have taken the rookie's side in the matter.

Podcaster and Warriors forward Draymond Green obviously came to the aid of his teammate, defending his actions throughout the game.

"Everybody's gonna be like 'He shouldn't talk to Luka, you shouldn't talk to Luka,' and I disagree with that s— 1000%," Green said . "You go talk to somebody, you talk until you can't talk no more. If he busts your a—, guess what, you play him again three more times and you go back at his a— again. …In this league everybody always be like 'certain guys you gotta respect.' I didn't come in this league like that. You earn respect."

It wasn't just his teammates, though, as media personality Stephen A. Smith took the rookie's side on the matter as well.

"I don't agree with WHAT Lendeborg said, because Luka Doncic does not suck," Smith said . "In that regard, no. I don't agree with him. But I do agree with him going after Luka the way that he did, competing the way that he competed, talking his talk and what have you.

"…Here's why I'm supportive in what Yaxel Lendeborg is saying. He's saying 'if you're so great, quit whining to the officials. Just go out there and bust my a—. But stop whining to the officials looking to them for help.' I was really ticked off when that ref gave Yaxel the technical foul in the second quarter. I'm calling out the NBA. NBA gotta stop that nonsense! Let them talk!"

The Lakers and Warriors are sure to have some heated matchups all season long after Wednesday's series opener, and all eyes will be on Doncic and Lendeborg whenever those games come around. The two teams are already closing in on another matchup, as they'll face each other once again Friday, October. 30 at 7:00 p.m. PT.