After scoring a game-high 17 points on Tuesday, Yaksel Landeborg enlisted the advice he received from Stephen Curry and Draymond Greenwrites Dan Dempster of NBC Sports Bay Area. The rookie forward repeatedly attacked the paint Warriors beat the Lakers handily for their first preseason win.
“After last game, I texted Steph and Draymond just to ask for some advice and guidance.” said Landeborg. “I was a little scared to be aggressive in the first game. I was a little shocked and all. But the advice from both guys telling me that they believed in me and that I had room for error just gave me that extra confidence that I needed tonight.”
Dempster notes that Golden State will need production from Landeborg Jimmy Butler and Kristaps Porzingisthe top two scorers from last season outside of Curry, both currently unavailable. Butler is rehabbing his surgically repaired left knee and is expected to miss at least half the season, while Porzingis is sidelined indefinitely with an illness.
“It’s hard to learn” said Landeborg. “I’ve been an unselfish player my whole life. And just coming here and hearing that I have to (have) the first kill mindset — that’s going to be something I have to adjust to.”
There are more from the Pacific Division:
- Warriors teammates and coaches noticed a more confident version Brandin underground this fall, according to Nick Friedel of The Athletic. The 23-year-old defenseman is hoping to get an extension before the start of the season, but Friedel says he’ll be calm whether that happens or not. “Last year I gave a few quotes of my own that obviously made people think a certain way,” Underground said. “But this year for me, it’s just going to be about playing hoops and trying to win games, especially with Jimmy and Mo (Moses Moody) at the beginning of the year. So that’s where my head is with these things.’
- The sun forward Miles Bridgeswho was acquired in a trade with Charlotte this summer, was forced to leave Wednesday’s game early in the second quarter after injuring his right ankle (Link to video on Twitter), trans Dwayne Rankin of the Arizona Republic. Rankin notes that Bridges clutched his ankle while sitting on the court shortly before going out. He continued to play for a while and tried to tie his shoe, but eventually went to the locker room. coach Jordan Ott said after the game that he believed Bridges was fine and could play Saturday against San Antonio, Rankin tweeted (Link to Twitter).
- Darius Garland and free agent additions Rui Hachimura there seemed to be instant chemistry when they were leading Clippers until Sunday’s win over the Warriors, Janice Carr of The Orange County Register states in the story for subscribers only. “Yes, we already knew what kind of talent Rui has,” Garland said. “So I’m just trying to figure out his spots, but the Golden State game was definitely a small sample of what we can do.”
