Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is already establishing himself as a star in the NBA.

While Stephen Curry was perfect from the field in the Golden State Warriors‘ first win of the season, the night belonged to Yaxel Lendeborg. The rookie and Summer League MVP scored 31 points to lead the Warriors to a 134-114 win over the Denver Nggets.

Lendeborg has already caused a stir with his inability to hold back in postgame interviews, and he was critical of himself despite his big scoring night

The rookie was only 1-8 from three-point range and 9-19 from the field overall. His scoring was led by 12-13 from the free-throw line.

Speaking after the win, Lendeborg said he was frustrated by his poor shooting from distance, while delighted to contribute to a win.

He explained: “This game… I had 13 free throws, and that’s crazy, you know? That’s absurd for me. On a night where I can’t make a three for nothing, it’s crazy.

“That is like my best game so far, because it was very frustrating for me. But I’m just glad that we got a first win. I’m very happy about that. I would have cried if we lost again, but I’m just happy to get one on the board.”

The win avoids the Warriors falling to 0-4, getting on the board at last to move to 1-3, following three consecutive losses to start the season.

Lendeborg thanks Curry and Green for support

Lendeborg was asked about how he has made such an immediate impact for the Warriors, and thanked the team’s two veteran stars for their support.

“I would say Steph and Draymond’s confidence in me. After the game in Hawaii where I had like three points and only took three shots, I asked them for some guidance and advice.

“They told me just to try to be confident, be aggressive, and play through the mistakes, that I’m going to be in that position to do that. Just hearing that from those two guys… I was coming into the game timid, like I don’t want to mess up what they got going on, and they pretty much just gave me free rein.

“So they helped me out, and from then on, I just vowed to be a little more aggressive each night.”

The advice is certainly working, but everybody on the Warriors will need to raise their game when they face the Timberwolves and the Lakers in their two upcoming matchups.