Video taking off 11x its usual first day

Yaxel Lendeborg changes Nichols and Turner's Warriors outlook

Sports Illustrated's Open Floor hosts see a rookie easing Stephen Curry's workload as Golden State strings together eight wins.

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Sports Illustrated Story of November 11, 2026Trari Newsroom

Why this story? The video opened at a pace of 58,796 views a day, 11 times a normal first day on this channel (5,446).

We Were Wrong About These Golden State Warriors | Rachel Nichols & Evan Turner

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0:44Nichols credits Yaxel Lendeborg's scoring and playmaking with reducing the burden on Curry.
3:10Nichols rejects the idea that Curry must leave Golden State to finish his career as a winner.
4:40Turner highlights the rookie's isolation possessions and expects Butler's return to make Golden State more dangerous.
5:50Nichols argues that older rookies can contribute sooner because of their maturity.
8:42Turner weighs Western Conference contenders, eventually identifying Houston and San Antonio as his clearest choices.

How much can a rookie change the outlook for a team built around Stephen Curry? For Rachel Nichols and Evan Turner, Yaxel Lendeborg is giving them reason to reconsider the Warriors, not simply admire another Curry scoring burst.

Their Sports Illustrated segment, "We Were Wrong About These Golden State Warriors | Rachel Nichols & Evan Turner," follows Golden State's recovery from a winless opening stretch. Nichols points to Lendeborg's scoring and playmaking as help that takes pressure off Curry. Turner focuses on his confidence, including the significance of Steve Kerr giving the rookie isolation possessions in his offense.

The conversation has drawn about 39,000 views in 11 hours, already several times the channel's usual full-day audience for regular videos.

Curry's longevity gets its own appreciation, but Nichols pushes back on the idea that he needs to leave Golden State to secure a triumphant ending. "Steph Curry is going out a winner, no matter what," she says. It's a statement about his legacy, rather than a prediction of another championship.

The hosts also see Jimmy Butler's return as a reason the team could become more dangerous. Nichols argues that an older rookie's maturity can shorten the wait for meaningful contributions, while Turner sees Lendeborg bringing an assertiveness that has energized the team.

Viewers are picking up on the supporting cast, too: comments discuss Lendeborg's ballhandling, Charles Bassey's potential as a rim protector and whether the forthcoming Rockets game will offer a firmer test of Golden State's progress.

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What viewers say

Warriors-Rockets game tomorrow will be a great test to see where both these teams are really at.
@AlodriSee it on YouTube
Evan's got that great old school broadcaster/radio voice. He should do voiceovers!
@normp3273See it on YouTube
X factor: Charles Bassey
@ahmedconde7928See it on YouTube

2 more comments

Nice to see Rachel again. Miss seeing her on ESPN.
@earlworthington7839See it on YouTube
Warriors gonna make some noise this season with Curry and Yaxel. The role players just need to be ready to chip in some points
@man-tt8yqSee it on YouTube

Public comments from the video's page on YouTube