Full Breakdown
Yaxel Lendeborg Leads Warriors to 2026 NBA Summer League Title
7/20/2026, 12:07:51 PM
Championship Game Overview
On Sunday, July 19, 2026, the Golden State Warriors defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 94-90 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas to capture the NBA Summer League championship. Rookie forward Yaxel Lendeborg recorded a double-double—21 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals in 23 minutes—and was named the championship-game MVP. The Warriors erased a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, with Lendeborg’s late three-pointer and mid-range jumper giving Golden State its first lead since the third quarter.
Road to the Finals
The Warriors entered the semifinals after a 5.8-point differential earned them a spot over the Denver Nuggets. They then beat the Los Angeles Lakers 92-88 to reach the final. Memphis posted a 4-1 record, highlighted by a 101-90 win over the Houston Rockets and a 106-85 victory over Golden State earlier in the tournament.
Key Performers
- Yaxel Lendeborg (No. 11 overall pick, Michigan) – 21 points, 10 rebounds, MVP.
- Deivon Smith (undrafted guard) – 21 points, nine rebounds, 9-of-14 shooting.
- LJ Cryer – 15 points, six assists, two three-pointers.
- Will Richard – 13 points, four rebounds, two steals.
- Cameron Boozer (No. 3 overall pick, Duke) – 19 points, eight rebounds, four assists; missed a potential game-winning three in the final seconds.
- Cedric Coward – 19 points, six rebounds, perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range.
Statistical Highlights
- Warriors out-rebounded Memphis in the fourth quarter, limiting the Grizzlies to 14 points.
- Lendeborg shot 9-of-18 from the field and added two steals.
- The Warriors’ bench contributed 42 points, with Smith’s 21 points accounting for half of that total.
- Memphis’ shooting from beyond the arc was 33.8 % overall, compared with Golden State’s 38.2 % in the final.
Implications for Golden State
The victory marks the Warriors’ second Summer League championship (first in 2013) and showcases a rookie who can contribute immediately alongside veterans Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Front office officials highlighted Lendeborg’s versatility as a factor that could ease future free-agency decisions.
Team and Front Office Comments
Summer-league coach Khalid Robinson praised Lendeborg’s “skill set, physical profile, size for his position and competitive spirit,” noting the rookie’s ability to ignite the team when “we were in a hole.”
General manager Mike Dunleavy emphasized that Lendeborg “connects some lineups with his size… can play inside, he can play outside,” suggesting his presence expands roster flexibility.
Lendeborg himself said he entered the program “to prove that I’m a winner” and referenced a personal rivalry with Boozer, adding that “our spirit, our will, our desire to not lose is pretty much what helped us out.”
Analyst Concerns
Some analysts questioned the Warriors’ decision to draft a 23-year-old lottery pick, labeling the selection a “gamble” given the player’s age despite his recent NCAA championship.
Discrepancies in Reported Averages
Sources differ on Lendeborg’s Summer League averages: one report lists 18.5 points and eight rebounds per game, while another cites 14 points and six rebounds. Both figures appear in the coverage and are presented without resolution.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Coming into this program, I just wanted to prove that I'm a winner,” — Yaxel Lendeborg, Rookie, Golden State Warriors
- “I've got to find a way to assert myself more," Boozer said.” — Cameron Boozer, Forward, Memphis Grizzlies
- “[He fits because of] his skill set, his physical profile, his size for his position and his competitive spirit," Robinson said.” — Khalid Robinson, Summer League Coach, Golden State Warriors
- “The passing of the ball, The defensive stuff, whether it’s on the ball or off the ball. [He] connects some lineups with his size. … can play inside,” — Mike Dunleavy, General Manager, Golden State Warriors
- “I think about [revenge] every time I play [Boozer]," Lendeborg said.” — Yaxel Lendeborg, Rookie, Golden State Warriors
