What happened: Yaxel Lendeborg outlined his strategy for facing Victor Wembanyama, stating he plans to shoot perimeter 3-pointers to draw the center away from the paint while applying physical pressure defensively. Lendeborg called Wembanyama the tallest player he has faced and joked about his rim protection.
Why it matters: Lendeborg faces an expanded offensive burden after having rated his confidence at 6 out of 10 to shoulder more scoring responsibility. Navigating Wembanyama's defensive range serves as a key benchmark for whether pulling elite rim protectors away from the basket can succeed.
By the numbers: Wembanyama has recorded 30.3 points per game and 11.7 rebounds per game and 2.8 assists per game in 2026-27 through 12 games. Lendeborg has recorded 21.7 points per game and 7.4 rebounds per game and 3.7 assists per game in 2026-27 through 12 games.
What to watch: Watch how early Lendeborg establishes his perimeter shot to test Wembanyama's willingness to abandon the paint. The matchup will test whether physical defense can disrupt Wembanyama over four quarters.