NBA: Preseason-Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Oct 6, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Yaxel Lendeborg (1) pushes the ball up the court during the third quarter of the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
NBA preseason is underway as fans and analysts get their first look at each roster. Though preseason is primarily for conditioning and preventing injuries, it still reveals plenty about players and teams’ capabilities.
Many established players take the preseason lightly, but for rookies and players fighting for roster spots, it can make or break their professional careers. Here are three rookies who followed up impressive Summer League performances with standout preseason performances.
MORE: NBA power rankings entering 2026 preseason
Yaxel Lendeborg
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver greets the eleventh pick in the 2026 NBA draft, Michigan forward Yaxel Lendeborg after he was selected by the Golden State Warriors at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Golden State selected Yaxel Lendeborg with a first-round pick in the last NBA Draft. The Warriors chose Lendeborg hoping he could contribute immediately. He proved that in the Summer League.
He opened preseason play with a team-leading 17 points and nine rebounds. In that game, Yaxel played a total of 21 minutes and shot 7-for-11 from the field.
Lendeborg got his first taste of playing alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The 24-year-old was one of the older players in this year’s draft class, and Steve Kerr has already announced his starting role.
Darryn Peterson
Jun 23, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Draft prospect Darryn Peterson poses for photos on the red carpet before the 2026 NBA draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images
Darryn Peterson was expected to perform well this preseason, as he was the second pick in this year’s draft class. The Jazz chose him for his elite scoring, and he showed it against the Denver Nuggets.
Peterson looked like his college self. He scored 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting, plus three assists and three rebounds. Peterson looks set to inherit a huge role on a young Jazz roster aiming to make major improvements from previous seasons.
Bennett Stirtz
NBA: Preseason-New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder
Oct 6, 2026; Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Bennett Stirtz (14) stands with his team between plays during the second half against the New Orleans Pelicans at BOK Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
Oklahoma City got another one.
The Thunder selected Bennett Stirtz out of Iowa in the mid-first round of the NBA Draft this year. Stirtz was known as an elite scorer and a highly touted guard in the 2026 draft class. He showcased that in the Summer League and carried it into the preseason.
In 31 minutes, Stirtz had a game-high 15 points against the New Orleans Pelicans. He added six assists and five rebounds before leaving the game late in the fourth quarter with an injury. Bennett looked like another talented guard on an already deep Thunder team.