Warriors Gold Begin California Classic With Dominant Win Over Lakers

The Golden State Warriors Gold opened the 2026 California Classic Summer League with a commanding 104-72 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday at Chase Center. One of the first NBA News storylines from this year's Summer League was Golden State's dominant all-around performance, highlighted by efficient shooting and strong ball movement.

Although Summer League results do not count toward the regular season, they provide teams with an important opportunity to evaluate rookies, young players, and free agents competing for roster spots. Golden State made an encouraging first impression by controlling the game from the second quarter through the final buzzer.

Warriors Take Control From the Second Quarter

The game was relatively close during the opening period before the Warriors broke it open in the second quarter. Golden State outscored Los Angeles 29-10 in the frame, creating a comfortable halftime lead that continued to grow throughout the second half.

The Warriors never allowed the Lakers to build any momentum after the break, extending their advantage to as many as 37 points. Golden State also finished with 32 assists compared to Los Angeles' 16, showing a willingness to move the basketball and create quality scoring opportunities.

Lendeborg Headlines Balanced Offense

First-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg delivered one of the night's most impressive performances, finishing with 19 points, five rebounds, and six assists while making all six of his field-goal attempts. His ability to contribute as both a scorer and playmaker immediately stood out and reinforced why many believe he could become one of the rising stars in the NBA.

Golden State's offense was far from a one-man effort. All five starters scored in double figures, while Will Richard added 16 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Chance McMillian also provided valuable production off the bench with 12 points, four rebounds, and three assists.

Lakers struggle to match Warriors' pace

Golden State's shooting played a major role in the outcome. The Warriors connected on 63 percent of their field-goal attempts and knocked down 62 percent of their shots from beyond the arc, consistently finding open looks through crisp passing and smart decision-making.

Los Angeles had a much more difficult night offensively, shooting 38 percent from the field and just 23 percent from three-point range. The difference in efficiency made it difficult for the Lakers to keep pace, especially as Golden State continued to force defensive breakdowns with its movement off the ball.

Despite the disappointing result, the Lakers still had several individual performances worth noting. Cameron Carr led the team with 19 points and two rebounds, while Arthur Kaluma contributed 12 points, six rebounds, and two blocks off the bench. Adou Thiero added nine points, four rebounds, two assists, and two steals during the loss.

Summer League development

Summer League serves as an important evaluation period rather than a measure of regular-season success. Coaching staffs often experiment with different lineups and give young players extended minutes to develop against NBA-level competition, making every game a valuable learning experience.

Strong performances can also improve a player's chances of earning a roster spot or securing a larger role before training camp begins. The event gives front offices valuable information as they assess how young talent performs in competitive game situations.

The Warriors will try to build on this performance when they face the San Antonio Spurs in their next California Classic matchup, while the Lakers will look to respond against the Miami Heat. Both teams will be looking for continued progress as they prepare for the remainder of the Summer League schedule. For Golden State, the convincing victory provides another positive NBA News headline, and Lendeborg's debut suggests he could be among the rising stars in the NBA to watch as Summer League continues.