Full Breakdown
Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors Set for 2026 NBA Summer League Championship
7/19/2026, 12:49:58 PM
Championship Game Preview
The Memphis Grizzlies will face the Golden State Warriors on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN. Both Western Conference teams earned semifinal victories in Las Vegas on Saturday. Memphis defeated the Houston Rockets 101-90, while Golden State edged the Los Angeles Lakers 92-88.
Memphis’ Summer League Trajectory
Memphis entered the championship with a 3-1 record, including blowout wins over the Warriors and Atlanta Hawks earlier in the tournament. The Grizzlies are making their second championship appearance in three years after an overtime loss to the Miami Heat in the 2024 final. The team’s recent regular-season improvement—rising from a 33-49 record in 2018-19 to a Western Conference play-in berth in 2019-20—has been linked to player development during summer league, particularly for prospects such as Desmond Bane and the rookie wing Cedric Coward.
Player Spotlights
- Cedric Coward led Memphis’ semifinal with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists.
- Cameron Boozer, the 2026 lottery pick, contributed a double-double (12 points, 12 rebounds) and five assists.
- Javon Small added 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists, rounding out a Grizzlies “Big Three.”
- For Golden State, Yaxel Lendeborg (the No. 11 pick) scored 15 points, including seven in the fourth quarter and two decisive free throws with 14 seconds left.
- Graham Ike and LJ Cryer each posted 16 points; Ike grabbed 11 rebounds, while Cryer supplied four assists.
Why a Title Matters
A summer-league championship would be Memphis’ first since 2024 and would validate the organization’s recent draft choices, especially the development of Boozer and Coward. The article notes that the Charlotte Hornets’ 2025 summer-league title preceded a 44-38 regular-season record in 2025-26, illustrating how success in the developmental tournament can boost confidence and shape team culture during a rebuild.
What’s Next
The championship game will determine which franchise claims the 2026 Summer League crown, with the outcome poised to influence the perception of each team’s young core heading into the upcoming NBA season.
