Yaxel Lendeborg added another chapter to his sensational start to his rookie season on Sunday. The Golden State Warriors forward erupted for a career-high 37 points, spearheading a 124-112 win over the Los Angeles Clippers with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green sitting out the front end of a home back-to-back.

The performance came just two days after Lendeborg fouled out with only 6 points in Golden State’s 112-95 home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. His bounce-back effort further fueled early Rookie of the Year buzz and talk of the 24-year-old becoming the Warriors’ next franchise cornerstone.

Yaxel Lendeborg’s Career Night Ignites Rookie of the Year Hype, Franchise Cornerstone Hopes

Lendeborg shot a blistering 13-for-19 (68.4%), including 6-for-11 from deep (54.5%), and 5-for-6 at the free-throw line (83.3%), adding 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal in 34 minutes. His 37 points comfortably topped his previous career high of 31, set in last Monday’s 134-114 road win over the Denver Nuggets.

Lendeborg looked the part of a three-level scorer capable of carrying an offense, utilizing his 6-foot-9 frame to persistently bully his way inside for easy baskets and opportunities to kick out to open teammates. He also scored off the dribble from the midrange and beyond the arc, with the Clippers having no answers for him.

The Warriors’ victory marked their fourth straight, moving them to 4-3 after a troubling 0-3 start, as Rui Hachimura’s efficient team-high 24-point performance wasn’t enough to keep LA in the game late.

Sunday also put Lendeborg in rare franchise company. Only two other Golden State players, Hall of Famers Wilt Chamberlain and Rick Barry, reached 30 points twice within their first seven games, and his 37 points were the most by a Warriors rookie since Curry in 2010.

Two NBA content creators focused on just how impressive the performance was for a first-year player. Six Rings of Steel posted, “Rookies shouldn’t be doing this.”

Legend Of Winning echoed that sentiment, writing, “What a rookie man.”

Others looked past one night to what the No. 11 pick could become for Golden State. NBA Central went straight to the big picture, declaring, “Warriors really got their next franchise player.”

“Yaxel Lendeborg is a max-level franchise player. It is a marvel watching him as the first option without Steph Curry right now,” NBA content creator and Warriors fan Jim Park similarly raved.

Basketball Performances called attention to teams overlooking Lendeborg on draft night, writing, “10 teams passed on this generational talent because of age. Clear ROTY so far.”

PFN’s Alex Kennedy struck the same draft-night chord after rattling off the rookie’s shooting splits, closing with, “No Steph Curry or Draymond Green, no problem. No. 11 pick looking like a massive steal.”

Friday’s outing vs. the Lakers could hardly have looked more different, as Lendeborg took only 3 shots, turned the ball over 5 times, and finished with a minus-20 plus-minus in 24 minutes, while Curry led the way with 31 points.

The rookie addressed his off night head-on after Sunday’s win:

“That was a huge letdown last game, you know, just try not to be a letdown again, honestly. I know I’ve got to keep my confidence no matter what goes on, good or bad game. And I just got to start playing with the joy that I played with the last six years of college and now here. So I’mma just continue to try to keep playing with a smile on my face, maybe throw in little dance moves like Steph every once in a while.”

Sunday’s dominant performance marked Lendeborg’s fourth contest with at least 20 points in his first seven outings.

The Phoenix Suns (1-3) visit Chase Center on Monday, kicking off a stretch of four more home games for the suddenly resurgent Warriors (4-3).

Golden State will look to extend its winning streak to five games, while Lendeborg gets another chance to build on his career night in front of Dub Nation.