The Warriors Lendeborg Curry duo finally gave Golden State its first win of the 2026-27 season, a 134-114 rout of the Denver Nuggets on Monday night at Ball Arena. After three straight losses, the Dubs avoided their first 0-4 start since 2007-08.
A Rookie Steps Up
Yaxel Lendeborg, the rookie out of Michigan, put up thirty-one points and twelve rebounds, according to ESPN and the Associated Press. He also dished six assists in only his fourth career game.
That scoring night is the second-most points through a player's first four career games in franchise history, per the team's own recap on NBA.com. For a kid who just came off an NCAA championship run, the composure is the real headline.
The Warriors Lendeborg Curry pairing combined for fifty-five points, and Golden State shot fifty-four point one percent from the field. The team hit twenty-two of forty-four from three and outrebounded Denver fifty to thirty-six.
Curry Waits, Then Explodes
Stephen Curry had an eerily quiet first half. He took just one shot, a made three from the right wing, and had three points at the break while the Warriors led by only four.
Then the third quarter happened. Curry scored seventeen points in the frame and went six for six from the field and three for three at the line, according to the Warriors' recap. He finished with twenty-four points on eight-for-eight shooting.
Per Warriors Wire, he hit seven of seven in the second half. Twenty-one of his twenty-four points came after halftime, and it was only the second time in his career he finished a game without a miss, NBC Sports reported.
What Curry Said About the Rookie
Curry was quick to hand out credit. "Yaxel played amazing, we were flying around on defense, that's how we got to win," he told Peacock after the game.
He also praised the rookie's feel for the game. "He's just got composure and feel. His size on the court, he's a matchup problem, but he's never really in a hurry," Curry said, adding that he wants Lendeborg to keep playing aggressively.
Why This Win Matters
Golden State is now one and three, and Denver slips to one and two. Early-season panic is real for a veteran team, and Curry sat out Saturday's loss to Phoenix, a reminder that his minutes are being managed carefully.
Seeing Curry look quick and healthy again, after the knee trouble that surfaced last January, is a relief for fans. The San Francisco Chronicle noted he looked as physically sound as he has in months.
A young star next to a legend is a storyline the league has not seen on this team in a while. If Lendeborg keeps producing, the Warriors gain a second option who can create, rebound and pass.
The Bigger Picture for Golden State
Early losses stack up quickly in the Western Conference, where every seed matters come spring. Dropping the first three games put real pressure on a roster built around an aging superstar, so a blowout road win in Denver was a statement.
The rebounding edge may be the most encouraging number. Winning the glass by fourteen against a Nuggets team led by a perennial MVP candidate suggests the rookie's size is already changing how the Warriors play.
Ball movement mattered too. Curry finished with three assists and two steals, while Lendeborg's six assists showed he can pass out of double teams. That mix of scoring and playmaking is exactly what the team needed from its young forward.
Fans will be watching the minutes closely. Curry reportedly sits out back-to-backs this season, which means the supporting cast has to carry more load on certain nights. A confident rookie makes that plan far easier to trust.
What Comes Next
One win does not fix a slow start, but it changes the mood. The Warriors showed the defensive energy and ball movement they lacked in the first three games, and the bench kept pace.
For more hoops coverage, check our sports section. Next up is whether the Warriors Lendeborg Curry combination can repeat this against a tougher opponent, and whether the rookie keeps stacking big nights.
Basketball fans on social media were already calling the third quarter a throwback. If Curry stays healthy and the rookie keeps growing, this young season might still turn into something special for Golden State.
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