The Golden State Warriors are learning what they can ask of rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, and coach Steve Kerr already sees a quality that can help him handle the responsibility.

“Yaxel has a really innate feel for basketball,” Kerr said before Friday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Golden State followed those comments with a 112-95 comeback victory at Chase Center, overcoming a 25-point deficit to win its NBA Cup opener. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 31 points, six assists and four rebounds as they earned their third consecutive victory after an 0-3 start.

The result provided another encouraging step for a team incorporating a rookie into a demanding role while trying to establish consistency early in the season.

Asked before the game whether Lendeborg was progressing faster than anticipated, Kerr explained that he entered their partnership without a fixed expectation.

“Well, I mean I just met him a few months ago so I didn't have a ton of expectations or anything,” Kerr said. “I just wanted to coach him and see where he was.”

Kerr pointed to the 24-year-old’s college experience and national championship background when discussing his readiness. That experience has given Lendeborg a different starting point from younger prospects making the same transition.

“He’s obviously very advanced for a rookie, and he should be,” Kerr said. “He’s 24, he’s older than most of the guys who come into the league these days.”

Still, Kerr distinguished experience from instinct. His praise centered on Lendeborg’s understanding of the game, a valuable foundation for a player learning how to contribute alongside established veterans.

The next challenge is applying that understanding consistently against NBA opponents, with less recovery time and more complicated assignments than he faced in college.

Kerr acknowledged the workload when asked about balancing Lendeborg’s conditioning with his matchups.

“We’re asking a lot of him. But that’s the game, that’s the NBA,” Kerr said. “You got a game every other night and 48-minute games.”

For a rookie, those demands extend beyond learning an offensive role. Defensive responsibilities, physical recovery and preparation for different opponents all become part of the adjustment.

Kerr emphasized the expectation that top players contribute at both ends of the floor.

“It’s a high-level game and the best players have to learn how to be two-way players, and be consistent night after night,” he said. “It’s quite a challenge.”

Friday’s victory demonstrated the importance of having several players capable of supporting the offense.

Brandin Podziemski finished with 21 points, six assists and five rebounds. De’Anthony Melton scored 16 off the bench, and Georges Niang added 11 as Golden State’s reserves outscored the Lakers’ bench 50-7.

That production helped the Warriors recover after falling behind 38-15 through the first quarter. Los Angeles received 37 points from Luka Dončić, but Golden State ultimately turned a substantial deficit into a comfortable victory.

For Lendeborg, the comeback offered another opportunity to gain experience within a veteran group. The Warriors did not need one player to solve every problem after their difficult start.

As Golden State continues developing its rotation, Kerr’s assessment identifies both the promise and the work ahead for his rookie: the instincts are evident, and the responsibility is already substantial.