The Golden State Warriors picked up their first win of the season on Monday when they knocked off the Denver Nuggets, 134-114.

Steph Curry had a perfect night from the field, going 8-for-8 overall, 3-for-3 from three, and 5-for-5 from the free throw line to finish with 24 points.

But it was rookie Yaxel Lendeborg who drew the headlines with his 30 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists performance. Yaxel threw in a block for good measure as the Warriors looked unstoppable against the Nuggets’ defense.

After the game, the four-time NBA Champion had plenty of praise for his rookie.

“His composure,” Curry said in the post-game interview when asked what has impressed him most about Yaxel four games into his career.

Curry noted that Yaxel just came off winning the NCAA Championship with Michigan before saying, “He’s got composure and feel. His size on the court, he’s a matchup problem. He’s never really in a hurry.”

Curry called him the “full package” with how he’s seeing the court, staying aggressive, and getting to the free throw line.

From the moment the ball went in the air for Summer League, Yaxel has been impressive in a Warriors uniform.

In Summer League, he averaged 14.8 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.5 steals in six games, leading the Warriors to the Summer League Championship and winning Summer League MVP.

Despite the competition improving, Yaxel’s play has not slipped.

In his first four games with the Warriors, he’s averaging 21.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, and 4.8 assists on 45% shooting from the field and 34% from three.

Selected 11th overall out of Michigan, Yaxel was expected to immediately help the Warriors, as he was already 24 years old by the time the season started. Brandin Podziemski, who is in his fourth year in the league, won’t turn 24 until February.

Drawing Fouls

After game one against the Los Angeles Lakers, Yaxel called out Luka Doncic for his flopping and foul baiting, not understanding that was part of Luka’s game and seemingly the NBA overall.

While he might not be flopping or foul baiting, Yaxel has figured out a way to get to the line himself. He went to the line 13 times against the Nuggets, knocking down 12 free throws. In just his second career game against the Grizzlies, he went to the line 12 times, hitting nine free throws.

He’s already in the top 15 among free throw attempts, getting to the line more than reigning two-time MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and reigning Finals MVP Jalen Brunson.

Whatever Yaxel is doing, it’s working.