The Golden State Warriors clinched the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship, battling their way to a hard-fought 94-90 victory over Cam Boozer and the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday. This wasn’t just any win, it was sealed by Summer League MVP Yaxel Lendeborg’s monster 21-point performance, capping off a 5-1 run for the Warriors in Vegas.
Lendeborg Goes Off as Warriors Bring the Heat
Yaxel Lendeborg showed up big time when it mattered most. The No. 11 overall pick out of Michigan, he didn’t just meet expectations; he blew past his Summer League averages of 13.6 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. In the championship final, Lendeborg dropped an incredible 21 points and grabbed 10 boards for a dominant double-double. Seriously, this dude was everywhere, shooting 50 percent from the field! Deivon Smith also had a massive night, tying Lendeborg with 21 points of his own, nailing 9-of-14 shots, and adding 9 rebounds and 3 assists. And let’s not forget LJ Cryer, who continued his impressive Summer League campaign by chipping in 15 points and dishing out 6 assists in the title game. These guys combined for 42 points, igniting that critical 28-14 fourth-quarter surge that totally flipped the game. This championship marks Golden State’s second Summer League title, their first since 2013.
Boozer’s Big Summer Ends in Heartbreak
Cam Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick, had a thrilling Summer League run, but the championship game just didn’t go his way. He still put up an impressive 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals, hitting 3-of-7 from beyond the arc. He barely missed a double-double, showing off that incredible scoring ability and versatility everyone’s been hyped about. Cedric Coward was also a key player for Memphis, leading the Grizzlies with 11 points in the first half and tying the game at 47-47 with a clutch three-pointer right before halftime. Boozer added seven points in the first half, but it was his nine-point explosion in the third quarter that helped Memphis pull away and build a 10-point lead. But that lead just melted away. The Warriors unleashed a series of runs in the fourth quarter, holding the Grizzlies to a brutal offensive stretch. Memphis couldn’t hold on, and Golden State kept its cool to seal the deal.
It was a wild ride in Summer League, showcasing some serious talent for the future. While the Summer League title might be settled, the real action is just around the corner. We’re talking NBA preseason! The 2026-27 NBA preseason kicks off on October 9 with the NBA China Games. That’s when we’ll really start to see how these young stars translate their Summer League flashes to the big stage. Get ready, because the next NBA season is gonna be epic!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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