Man, tonight in Vegas was wild! The Golden State Warriors clinched the 2026 NBA Summer League Championship, beating the Memphis Grizzlies 94-90. Yaxel Lendeborg, who totally owned it, snagged the MVP. But honestly, the real story? Before tip-off, the NBA held a moment of silence for Brandon Clarke, and that hit deep.
Yaxel Is a LEGEND!
Seriously, if you didn’t catch Yaxel Lendeborg this Summer League, you missed out. The No. 11 pick, 23 years old, just became an instant fan favorite. It’s not just his elite play; this dude waves, signs autographs, and chats with more kids than I’ve ever seen. I’m a lifelong Yaxel enthusiast now, no joke. He just led the Warriors to that 94-90 title win, like it was nothing. Watching him warm up alongside Cameron Boozer, another intriguing pick, before the game, you could just feel the energy. What a star.
Bigger Than Basketball
For the Grizzlies, this title game was huge for different reasons. Brandon Clarke, who won Summer League Championship MVP seven years ago, passed away tragically in May at just 29. Every single Grizzlies coach and staff member, including head coach Erik Schmidt who worked with Clarke since 2019, wore ‘BC’ pins. The organization went all out to honor him, even with the arena kinda empty. You could feel the respect. It was a powerful, silent moment that meant everything.
What a way to end Summer League! Watching every play matter, and then getting to vote for MVP myself (Yaxel, duh!). This game had it all: future stars like Lendeborg and a tribute that truly puts things in perspective. Can’t wait for the main season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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