Yaxel Lendeborg has been grinding his whole life. Junior college. A decommitment from St. John’s when Rick Pitino took over. A star turn at UAB. A national title and Big Ten Player of the Year honors at Michigan. So when the Golden State Warriors rookie forward stepped onto the court for his first Las Vegas Summer League game, he wasn’t just playing to prove he belonged. He was playing to settle a score.
The target of that grudge? His former Wolverines teammate, Morez Johnson Jr., who now suits up for the Dallas Mavericks. Lendeborg made it clear afterward that this one meant a little extra.
“It felt good to go out here and beat Rez for all the times he did me dirty in practice,” Lendeborg joked after the Warriors’ 101-90 win, per the MavsHighlights X account.
The No. 11 overall pick backed up the talk too. He put up 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out six assists. That stat line is exactly what Golden State was hoping for when they took him. He’s the kind of versatile, battle-tested player who can step in and help a veteran core that’s trying to make one more run with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green still playing at a high level.
Lendeborg’s path to the NBA wasn’t smooth. He spent three years at Arizona Western before UAB gave him a shot. He led the Blazers to the 2024 NCAA Tournament, then transferred to Michigan and won it all. That chip on his shoulder never really went away. And honestly, it’s probably why he fits so well with a Warriors team that’s built its identity on edge and competitiveness.
Johnson had a huge game too. He finished with 27 points on 12-of-17 shooting, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. So it’s not like he got embarrassed. But Lendeborg got the win and the bragging rights. Johnson will have to wait until the regular season for a chance to even the score.
The Warriors and Mavericks are scheduled to meet twice this season. The first matchup should be fun. Both guys clearly remember every detail from those battles in Michigan practice. And judging by Lendeborg’s reaction, neither one is the type to forget.
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