Derik Queen and Yaxel Lendeborg Clash in Warriors' 138-87 Win Over Pelicans

Derik Queen and Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg were both given technical fouls after a fourth-quarter scuffle during the Warriors' 138-87 win over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Chase Center on Monday night. The incident came with 10:51 left in the game, when Golden State was already comfortably ahead by 47 points.

How the fourth-quarter incident unfolded

Queen was called for a foul on Graham Ike after Ike grabbed a rebound. According to HITC, Queen then shoved Ike, prompting Lendeborg to step in with a push of his own and a few words. Officials and players quickly intervened and separated the two players.

Both Queen and Lendeborg were assessed technical fouls, and the game moved on. Reports describe the Pelicans growing more frustrated as the lopsided game wore on.

Lendeborg explains his side

In his postgame media availability, Lendeborg said he was protecting his teammate. He said he did not feel Queen was targeting him, but that he wanted to make a point after Queen pushed Ike.

"I wouldn't say (he) trying me, honestly," Lendeborg said. "But, you know, he just pushed Graham. That was kind of crazy. So, I just said a couple cuss words and then said, 'Don't do that kind of in a way,' and then he kind of came up on me."

Lendeborg added that he had tried to make a foul, though not as hard as he intended, and described his aim as sending a message to the Pelicans: don't mess with his teammates.

Performances and the wider game

The clash did not overshadow the on-court results. Queen finished with 16 points, four rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes. Lendeborg scored 23 points, grabbed seven rebounds and handed out four assists.

Stephen Curry and Brandin Podziemski each scored 25 points for Golden State. The 138-87 margin was reported as the largest win in the Warriors' franchise history for 35 years, and the team extended its winning streak to eight games.

Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, a Warriors legend, praised Lendeborg after the game. "Yaxel, we keep talking about rookie watch?" Mullin said. "He's putting up those types of numbers. They are not rookie numbers. They are All-Star numbers for one of the best teams in the league."

Lendeborg's season so far and what comes next

Through 11 games this season, Lendeborg is averaging 21.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals. He is shooting 52.3% from the field and 44.3% from three-point range. HITC has also linked him to Rookie of the Year discussion if he maintains this level.

Heavy.com noted that if the Warriors stay in the top four of the Western Conference until February, Curry and Lendeborg could have a strong case for All-Star selection. No suspensions or further disciplinary action were reported in the material available at the time of writing. The Warriors next begin a five-game road trip.

What we know so far: a heated but brief scuffle, two technical fouls, and a Warriors blowout that has kept the spotlight on Lendeborg's rapid start.