The Warriors rookie's reaction to learning he was guarding Lakers superstar Luka Doncic went viral: "What?"

Yaxel Landborg had a shocked reaction when Frank Vogel told him he would guard Luka Doncic in the Golden State Warriors' preseason game.

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Golden State Warriors top draft pick Yaxel Landburg almost had his "Welcome to the NBA" moment Tuesday night in a preseason game against the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was supposed to guard Luka Doncic — a task many veteran defenders don't like to have, let alone a rookie.

Landburg, the No. 11 overall pick out of the national champion Michigan Wolverines program, told reporters he was just talking on his phone before the game when Warriors assistant coach Frank Vogel came up to him and said something that confused him.

"Hey, you're protecting Luca tonight," Landburg said. "I said, 'What?'

To be honest, it's not an exaggerated answer at all for a rookie trying to get used to the league.

Landburg's reaction was genuine because he didn't think it was his job to be the Lakers' star and one of the league's most prolific offensive weapons when he's on the court.

Ultimately, Lakers head coach JJ Reddick decided to rest Doncic, which led to Landburg playing center Walker Kessler, a first for Los Angeles earlier this season. The Warriors ended up winning the game 101-89.

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"It was a complete change from what I had planned in my head," Landburg said of preparing for the game before hearing the Doncic news.

Still, Landburg is a solid defender and won the AAC Defensive Player of the Year with UAB before becoming a first-team All-Big Ten member during his 2025 season at Michigan.

Guarding Doncic is completely different than going up against the best players in college, but Landburg did his best to play that role.

"I tried to be really cool, but I was scared," she admitted. "It was crazy."

I think [Vogel] said the average was 30, 35. No one can stop him, so try your best.

No defender wants his opponent to put on a clinic, so Landburg's feelings are understandable. But to Vogel, Doncic is someone who can shoot even with great defense, averaging an NBA-leading 33.5 points per game last season.

In the end, Landburg held up against Kessler, while giving up 19 points on the other end of the floor.

Looking ahead to the regular season, Landburg will likely be used as a versatile defender by head coach Steve Kerr, with the 9-foot-6 rookie able to multitask regardless of his opponent's position on the field.

Yaxel Landburg of the Golden State Warriors dribbles the ball during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Oct. 13, 2026, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV (NBAE)

So, while the matchup with Doncic didn't happen this time around, the Warriors and Lakers will announce their regular season schedule on Oct. 21 in Los Angeles.

If that happens, well, good luck, Yaxel. Welcome to the NBA.

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