What happened: Addressing the fallout from his earlier criticism of Luka, No. 11 overall pick Yaxel Lendeborg told Anthony Slater postgame that he is not afraid to speak to anyone on the court. While standing firm that his opponent does not command the untouchable status of Michael Jordan, Lendeborg acknowledged that his initial remarks in the press went too far.

Why it matters: Lendeborg sparked the dispute earlier in the week when he said he lost respect for Luka over constant complaining to officials during the season opener. Even as his blunt approach invites external scrutiny across the league, the rookie's willingness to challenge established veterans has already drawn support inside his own locker room early in the 2026-27 regular season.

What to watch: Lendeborg now turns his attention to an upcoming on-court matchup against Boozer as the early regular-season slate continues.