Full Breakdown
Mavericks Earn First Summer League Victory, 96-88 Over Grizzlies
7/14/2026, 12:56:20 PM
Game Summary
On Monday, July 13, 2026, the Dallas Mavericks defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 96-88 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The win marked the Mavericks’ first triumph after starting the Summer League 0-2. Dallas built a three-point lead entering the fourth quarter and held off a late Grizzlies rally that tied the game eight times. A late tip-in dunk by Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu extended the lead to 84-77 with 2:52 left, and a three-pointer from Sergio de Larrea with 1:12 remaining pushed the margin to 87-80. Darin Green Jr. sealed the outcome with another three-pointer and a free-throw in the final minute.
Background & Context
The Mavericks entered the contest after double-digit losses to the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers, the latter featuring a 26-point second-half collapse. Injuries compounded the situation: first-round pick Morez Johnson Jr. missed the game with calf soreness, and guard Ryan Nembhard sat out due to illness. The roster therefore featured a deeper bench than in the first two outings.
Key Performers
- Sergio de Larrea – 16 points, 12 assists (double-double) and only three turnovers.
- Darin Green Jr. – Team-high 18 points, five assists, three rebounds, two steals; hit five three-pointers, including a perfect 5-for-5 first-half shooting line.
- Jaden Springer – 17 points, contributing early alley-oop finishes.
- Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu – 16 points on 7-of-8 shooting; recorded three alley-oop finishes and a block early in the first quarter.
- Jorge Diaz Graham – 11 points, 10 rebounds (double-double).
- Cameron Boozer (Grizzlies) – Led Memphis with 21 points and eight rebounds (see conflict note).
Bench production was decisive: 51 of Dallas’ 96 points came from reserves.
Data & Statistics
- Dallas shot 50.8 % from the floor and 46.2 % from three-point range.
- Memphis shot 37.2 % overall and 28.6 % from three.
- Five Mavericks players scored in double figures.
- The game was tied eight times, with the final margin set at eight points.
- Dallas recorded a 20-4 run early in the first quarter, sparked by Akobundu-Ehiogu’s transition buckets.
Why It Matters
The victory halts a winless start and showcases the depth of Dallas’ young roster, particularly the playmaking of de Larrea and the shooting efficiency of Green Jr. Strong bench contributions suggest the Mavericks have viable options for two-way contracts and future roster moves. The performance also provides a benchmark for evaluating the development of recent draft picks such as Morez Johnson Jr., Cameron Boozer, and Olivier-Maxence Prosper.
Official Statements & Responses
Mavericks head coach Dusty May and President of Basketball Operations Masai Ujiri fielded media questions after the game, emphasizing the team’s physicality in containing Boozer and the importance of bench production. No direct quotations were released in the available reports.
Criticism & Opposition
Analysts noted lingering concerns about the Mavericks’ front-court depth. The absence of Johnson Jr. and Nembhard highlighted the need for reliable big men; speculation surfaced about possible two-way roster adjustments, with names such as Vsevolod Ishchenko and Moussa Cissé mentioned as potential candidates. Additionally, some observers questioned de Larrea’s shooting efficiency, noting a 0-for-3 three-point start before his late-game bucket.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Cameron Boozer’s scoring: ESPN reports 21 points; Sports Illustrated reports 23 points.
- Boozer’s rebounding: ESPN lists eight rebounds; Sports Illustrated lists six rebounds.
- Boozer’s shooting line: ESPN cites 7-of-17 field-goal attempts; Sports Illustrated cites 7-of-12.
These discrepancies illustrate the limited uniformity of statistical reporting in Summer League coverage.
