LAC
The defeat was comprehensive, with the defending Western Conference champions setting the tone early by opening the game with an 18-0 run. Lendeborg, who has enjoyed a strong start to his debut season with averages of 21.7 points and 7.4 rebounds, admitted that the defensive presence of the Spurs left him feeling overwhelmed. He concluded his night with 7 rebounds and 3 turnovers, noting that he felt flustered throughout the encounter.
Defensive pressure and offensive struggles
The Warriors struggled significantly to convert shots when Victor Wembanyama was on the floor, managing only a 24% shooting rate during those minutes. This performance marked the lowest conversion rate by any team against Wembanyama in his career to date. Lendeborg attributed the team's offensive hesitation to the defensive intimidation posed by the Spurs, noting that many players resorted to floaters rather than attacking the rim directly.
Reflecting on his own performance, the rookie expressed frustration with his inability to execute, particularly around the basket. Despite entering the game with a plan to utilize three-point shooting to bypass the interior defense, he attempted only two shots from beyond the arc, missing both. He acknowledged that he needs to be more aggressive in future matchups, suggesting he must challenge defenders physically rather than playing with hesitation.
Looking ahead for the Warriors
The loss drops the Warriors to an 8-5 record as they navigate a difficult stretch without their star point guard. Curry is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks after sustaining an oblique injury during a game in Houston on Wednesday. For Lendeborg, the focus now shifts to bouncing back from a difficult individual performance as the team prepares for their next outing.
The Warriors are scheduled to have two days off before continuing their road trip on Monday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. While teammates have encouraged the squad to move past the lopsided result, Lendeborg emphasized the difficulty of quickly forgetting such a challenging night, stating that he intends to process the experience rather than simply dismissing it.