The Golden State Warriors' No. 11 overall pick in this year's draft, Yaxel Lendeborg, never had to guard Luka Doncic this preseason. 

Still, he had a very real reaction when he was told he would have to—showing a human side to the global phenomenon that NBA stars are. 

"I'm on my phone, chilling. [A coach] walks up to me, 'Hey, you're guarding Luka tonight.' I said, 'What the f—?'" Lendeborg laughed as he recalled the moment after the Warriors beat the Lakers, sans Doncic, 101-89 in Las Vegas on Tuesday. 

That was likely one of many surreal moments Lendeborg will experience this season as a rookie in a league stacked with otherworldly talent — few better than his teammate Stephen Curry. 

However, the good thing for the Warriors is that he seems built for the moment. He hasn't stopped impressing since putting on the Golden State uniform, even if going eye to eye with one of the NBA's most cerebral scorers shook him for a moment. 

"I tried to act all cool and not spooked, but I was spooked, man, that's crazy," Lendeborg added. "After that, he just said, like, 'I think he averages like 35, so nobody can stop him; just do your best.' That was it. My mind was all over the place after that." 

Lendeborg's reward for not having to guard Doncic (rest) was taking on the Walker Kessler defensive assignment, with the 7-foot-2 center making his preseason Lakers debut. 

Kessler might not be a scorer of Luka's caliber, but he is a physical specimen who poses a whole other set of challenges. But Lendeborg didn't back down, and he wouldn't have if the Slovenian superstar had suited up either. 

Lendeborg went on to post 17 points, five rebounds, four assists, and two steals, helping his side to their second preseason win over the Lakers. 

Doncic didn't feature in either game, but Lendeborg is now better off knowing the mental fortitude it will take to prepare for the task. And he won't have to wait long, as the Lakers are set to host the Warriors in the regular-season opener on Wednesday. 

The magnitude of the games he plays in will only grow; however, Lendeborg has taken to the NBA like a duck to water. 

After looking a class above the rest in Summer League—named MVP after leading the Warriors to the championship—he hasn't slowed down in the preseason, with his game translating seamlessly to the level of competition and the Golden State system. 

Over his last four preseason outings, Lendeborg is averaging 18.5 points, 7 rebounds, 4.3 assists, and 1.5 steals per game, shooting 62 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc. 

The Warriors went 4-2 in their preseason schedule, with Lendeborg leading the team in scoring and rebounding in three games and in assists twice. His standout performance came in the Warriors' 111-106 win over the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 10, when he scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and added six assists. 

The Warriors were excited to draft the 24-year-old reigning college national champion out of Michigan for a reason. At 6-foot-9 and 241 pounds, he is not only built like a seasoned veteran, but he plays like one. 

Head coach Steve Kerr usually likes to take his time with integrating rookies. He said he knew Lendeborg could contribute immediately after meeting him and working him out. 

Usually, first-year players are expected to be serviceable and produce net-positive minutes. In Lendeborg, the Warriors have a player who is quickly becoming one of their best.