Yaxel Lendeborg steers Warriors to Summer League title, slams Grizzlies

No. 11 draft pick Yaxel Lendeborg was named MVP after the Golden State Warriors rallied from a 12‑point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 94‑40 in the 2026 NBA Summer League championship at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Lendeborg posted 21 points, 10 rebounds and two steals, including nine points in the fourth quarter, and helped secure the Warriors' first title of the season.

During the post‑game press conference he criticized the Grizzlies, saying, “their butts got tight, you know? Some of us are built for the moment, some aren’t.” The remarks added to a growing on‑court rivalry, and Lendeborg also referenced recent tension with veteran forward Draymond Green, noting the need for the two to be on good terms before training camp.

The performance follows Lendeborg’s collegiate success at Michigan, where he earned Big Ten Player of the Year honors and helped win a national championship. While he has yet to appear in a regular‑season NBA game, the Summer League showing positions him as a potential key piece for Golden State’s upcoming campaign.