Lendeborg scores 31 as Warriors beat Nuggets for first win of season

The Golden State Warriors beat the Denver Nuggets 134-114 in Denver on Monday, October 26, for their first win of the season, according to the Associated Press. Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, helping Golden State avoid its first 0-4 start since 2007-08.

Lendeborg also had six assists, NBC Sports Bay Area reported. His scoring was well above the 18.7 points per game he had averaged entering the contest; he had also been averaging 8.3 rebounds. The performance gave Golden State a productive night from its rookie as the team sought to end its opening losing run.

How Golden State pulled away in Denver

The Warriors shot 54.1% from the field and made 22 of their 44 three-point attempts, according to AP. They also held a 50-36 advantage in rebounds. Those figures show how Golden State combined outside shooting with an edge on the boards in a 20-point win.

Curry, Draymond Green and Brandin Podziemski were back after sitting out Golden State’s game in Phoenix, AP reported. Podziemski scored 18 points and finished with a plus-33 rating, according to NBC Sports Bay Area, which also credited him with seven rebounds and five assists. Green scored three points and had seven assists, the outlet reported.

Lendeborg’s scoring and the Nuggets’ response

Lendeborg made nine of 19 shots from the field and 12 of 13 free throws, AP reported. His lone three-pointer came on eight attempts, so most of his points came inside the arc or at the line. NBC Sports Bay Area described a first-half sequence in which he blocked Christian Braun at the rim, ran downcourt and finished at the other end.

Nikola Jokić led Denver with 19 points, seven rebounds and 11 assists, according to AP. DeMar DeRozan added 21 points for the Nuggets. Jokić left with 3:33 remaining and Denver trailing by 21, as Golden State completed its first victory of the season.