Rookie Lendeborg scores 37 as Warriors beat Clippers

Manila Times - Nov 2, 2026

LOS ANGELES — Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg poured in 37 points as the Golden State Warriors shrugged off the absence of Stephen Curry to beat the Los Angeles Clippers, 124-112, on Sunday (Monday in Manila). Lendeborg, who was picked 11th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, racked up the highest points tally yet of his fledgling career while also providing six assists and grabbing four rebounds, as the Warriors snagged a fourth straight win. His 37 points were the most by a Warriors rookie in a game since Curry had 42 in 2010. Curry, now a 38-year-old veteran, had averaged 33 points over the past three games, including 44 against the Timberwolves on Wednesday, but missed Sunday’s game to manage his troublesome right knee. With Draymond Green also out, 24-year-old American-Dominican forward Lendeborg was the linchpin of a Warriors attack that has bounced back emphatically from losing its opening three games, after missing out on last season’s playoffs. “I’m gonna just continue to try to keep playing with a smile on my face. Maybe throw little dance moves like Steph in once in a while, but I’m gonna just keep trying to find my joy,” said Lendeborg. Coach Steve Kerr praised Lendeborg for adapting so quickly to...

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FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts — Lionel Messi’s late strike catapulted Inter Miami above New England and into second place with a tense 2-1 comeback victory over their MLS Eastern Conference rivals Sunday (Monday in Manila). Messi’s typically crafty effort after scurrying through three defenders in the 83rd minute was enough to secure three points, with an own goal by his teammate Ian Fray four minutes later ruled out for a marginal offside. The 39-year-old Argentine superstar also provided an improvised assist off the back of his head for German Berterame, after Daniel Gazdag had put New England in front early in the second half. Victory sent Miami a point clear of the New England Revolution with one game left, meaning a win against Charlotte on Saturday will guarantee home advantage until the Conference Finals. It also secured Miami’s spot in next year’s Concacaf Champions Cup. “It was such an important occasion ... they’re a very tough team — really difficult — so I think it was a tremendous effort,” said Berterame. After a goalless first half, New England’s Peyton Miller slipped down the right flank to the byline in the 53rd minute. His cut-back pass was backheeled by Ilay Feingold to Gazdag, who smashed the ball home. Miami came close to equalizing soon after the hour, as Berterame followed up on a Messi effort saved by Matt Turner, only to have his shot cleared off the line by Brooklyn Raines. In the 69th minute, Telasco Segovia flicked a ball high into the box toward Messi, who was racing forward between two defenders but somehow headed it blindly off the back of his head to Berterame, who scored. Messi got on the scoresheet himself in the 83rd minute, collecting the ball just outside the D, spinning and skipping past three tackles before wrapping his left foot around the ball and sending it low into the far corner past US national team goalkeeper Turner. New England thought they had been gifted an equalizer with three minutes remaining. Fray inexplicably headed a hopeful Luca Langoni cross into his own net despite no pressure, but the New England substitute was ruled offside on video review. The Eastern Conference’s final playoff berths were also determined Sunday. Columbus Crew and Orlando City both qualified after 10th-placed New York Red Bulls lost 3-2 to runaway leaders Nashville.