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Luka Doncic didn't need Yaxel Lendeborg's instigation for Lakers to clown Warriors

The Lakers put belt to, well... you know.
BySvyatoslav Rovenchuk
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Oct 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) smiles at the free throw line during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Oct 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) smiles at the free throw line during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Imagine being Yaxel Lendeborg and having the audacity to chirp Luka Doncic. Just about anyone in the NBA could tell you how bad of an idea that is. The Los Angeles Lakers superstar absolutely adores having that added motivation coming from somewhere in the arena.

The Lakers did not even really need it against the Golden State Warriors. Los Angeles whooped Golden State in a lopsided 127-105 win on Wednesday night. Doncic had 23 at the half before finishing with 28 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. As good as he was, this was not the Luka show. There was balance to be found among the Lakers in this one.

Walker Kessler had himself a fantastic debut. Austin Reaves was doing his thing. The Lakers defense settled in after a rough start in the first quarter. This was a masterclass for Los Angeles as a whole.

A 36-16 third quarter really separated this game after the Lakers were starting to pull ahead in the second. Doncic was more than happy to play the role of facilitator and just move the ball for a team that was humming. After struggling in their season openers during recent years, this was nothing of the sort for Los Angeles.

Lakers handled Warriors with ease without Luka Doncic going nuclear

After having a star-studded approach with the trio of Doncic, Reaves, and LeBron James last season, there was certainly a focused effort in the summer to strengthen the depth of the Lakers roster for 2026-27. That showed up in their season opener.

The craziest part about that is the Lakers were missing players from this one that would have otherwise factored into this game. Adou Thiero's knee injury kept him out. Collin Sexton was scratched despite trending in the right direction with his calf ailment. Cameron Carr was absent, too.

It did not matter. The Lakers made do with what they had, and then some.

Normally, Yaxel's shenanigans would have teed up a night of Doncic going to town on an opposing defense all by himself. After the circus shot from halfcourt by Luka near the end of the first half, anyone would have been fair to assume that is where this one could have been heading.

Instead, a dominant total team effort by the Lakers guided them to the win. Luka will just have to save the fireworks for a different matchup.

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