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Stephen A. Smith backs Yaxel Lendeborg over ‘whining’ Luka Doncic criticism

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith defended Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg following a heated verbal exchange with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić during their matchup on October 21, 2026.

Although Smith acknowledged that Dončić is a legitimate superstar and disagreed with the specific insults used, he praised Lendeborg for his competitive intensity and willingness to engage in trash talk during his NBA debut.

Smith specifically criticized the NBA for issuing Lendeborg a technical foul in the second quarter, arguing that the league should allow players to express themselves verbally without such penalties. The incident has generated significant buzz ahead of the teams' next scheduled meeting on October 30, with many observers now viewing the rivalry as a must-watch event.

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