Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is already looking forward to one particular matchup in his first NBA season, sending a confident message to Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks.
When asked about the upcoming matchup with Brooks during a recent livestream, the 23-year-old made it clear that he is eagerly awaiting the challenge.
"I'm finna give Dillon Brooks belt, man. Stop playing, bruh," Lendeborg said.
The two will not have to wait long to meet.
Golden State is scheduled to visit Phoenix on October 24, just three days after opening its 2026-27 regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers.
The Warriors and Suns are then set to meet again at Chase Center on November 2.
Lendeborg enters NBA with plenty of confidence
The Warriors selected Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, adding the versatile forward following his collegiate career at Michigan.
He has already made an impression in a Golden State uniform.
Lendeborg was named the 2026 NBA Summer League MVP after helping the Warriors capture the championship in Las Vegas. He averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals across six games.
The rookie saved one of his best performances for the championship game, recording 21 points and 10 rebounds as Golden State defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 94-90. He was also named MVP of the title game.
His combination of size, defensive versatility, and physicality could put him directly across from Brooks when the Warriors and Suns meet.
Brooks coming off career year in Phoenix
Brooks, meanwhile, is coming off the most productive scoring season of his NBA career.
In his first campaign with Phoenix, the Canadian forward averaged a career-high 20.2 points, along with 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 56 appearances while shooting 43.5% from the field.
Phoenix rewarded him during the offseason, signing Brooks to a multi-year contract extension in August.
Brooks' aggressive defense and willingness to engage opponents have long made individual matchups involving him a talking point.
Now, one of the newest members of the Warriors has made sure their first encounter of the season will carry some additional intrigue.