Golden State's Las Vegas Summer League title was decided by a rookie who changed the final quarter at both ends. Yaxel Lendeborg scored 21 points, collected 10 rebounds and led the Warriors back from a double-digit deficit against Memphis.
Key points
- Golden State beat Memphis 94-90 to win the 2026 Summer League title.
- Lendeborg finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds.
- He scored nine points and grabbed seven rebounds in the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter changed the evaluation
NBA.com reported that Golden State entered the final quarter down by 10. Lendeborg then scored nine points in the period, including a personal 7-0 run in less than 90 seconds, while the Warriors erased Memphis' lead.
He also collected seven of his 10 rebounds in the fourth, helping Golden State control the final possessions rather than relying on scoring alone.
A title gave the prospects real pressure
Summer League rosters are temporary, but a close championship game creates decisions that resemble regular-season pressure: late-clock reads, defensive rebounding and free throws with no next game guaranteed.
Cameron Boozer and Cedric Coward each scored 19 for Memphis, ensuring Lendeborg's closing stretch came against strong lottery-level opposition.
Boda8 Sport analysis
Analysis: Summer League statistics can be inflated by pace and changing roles. Fourth-quarter possessions in a four-point final are harder to dismiss.
Boda8 Sport's conclusion is that Lendeborg improved his case through the type of actions that translate: rebounding, energy, simple reads and scoring without stopping the team.
Sources reviewed
- 01NBA.comStarting 5: Warriors rally for NBA Summer League title20 Jul 2026
- 02NBA.comWarriors beat Grizzlies to take 2026 Summer League title20 Jul 2026