All articles tagged with #nba summer league
Rookie Yaxel Lendeborg flashed elite size and shooting in NBA Summer League, but his defense was a mixed bag early due to awareness lapses. Coaches say he’s coachable and improving, with late-game stops and key steals signaling growth as he works on on-ball/off-ball defense and conditioning.
Golden State rode Yaxel Lendeborg’s 21-point, 10-rebound performance to a 94-90 comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies in the Las Vegas NBA Summer League final, earning Lendeborg MVP honors as the Warriors capped their first Summer League title since 2013. Will Richard provided late-game leadership and scoring punch, while Cryer, Leons and other young players impressed as the organization showcased a winning culture and development-driven approach heading into the next season.
UNC coach Hubert Davis traveled to Las Vegas to watch Caleb Wilson and eight former Tar Heels in the NBA Summer League, stressing the importance of relationships with players and praising Wilson’s work ethic and character as he pursues a pro career.
Wizards No. 1 pick A.J. Dybantsa will miss the rest of the 2026 NBA Summer League after two strong showings (27 points in his debut vs Utah and 23 points vs Sacramento, plus seven rebounds, two assists, and three steals with two blocks). Will Riley and Tre Johnson were also shut down for the final games. Dybantsa, who averaged 25.5 points per game for BYU, drew attention from spectators including Trae Young; Washington will finish Summer League vs the Bulls and Clippers before a fall rotation featuring Kyshawn George, Alex Sarr, and veterans Young and Anthony Davis aims to push the team toward the playoffs.
AJ Dybantsa flashed two-way potential in Washington’s Summer League win over Sacramento, finishing with 23 points, seven rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocks, including a swat on Darius Acuff Jr. and a late sequence that underscored his defensive upside, as Wizards coaches and teammates highlighted his ceiling and rapid development after his 27-point Summer League debut.
Yaxel Lendeborg led Golden State with a game-high 14 points in a 104-79 Summer League win over Oklahoma City, adding two rebounds, four assists and three steals while shooting 5-for-14 overall and 4-for-8 from three. He outplayed former Michigan teammate Aday Mara, including a notable jump-ball win, and showcased his scoring flair, though his defense remains a work in progress. The Warriors moved to 4-1 in Las Vegas as they prep for their next game against Memphis.
In Las Vegas during NBA Summer League, Bam Adebayo reportedly punched former Heat teammate Tyler Herro after burner-account posts and social-media shade criticizing Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo; Herro allegedly taunted him, leading to a confrontation in front of his AAU team that security intervened to end. Adebayo did not attend the Heat–Bucks game, and the Heat have not commented. The incident comes as Herro, part of the Giannis Antetokounmpo trade, heads to Milwaukee after seven years with Miami.
The Philadelphia 76ers' Summer Sixers defeated the Indiana Pacers 100-93 in overtime in Las Vegas, led by Labaron Philon Jr. (24 points, 6 assists) and Johni Broome (23 points, 11 rebounds). Jaylen Brown attended and interacted with front-office members and players, while coach Nick Nurse lauded offseason gains in athleticism, speed, defensive rebounding and three-point shooting. The outing also highlighted bench depth with Matt Rogers and Adem Bona, and a next game against the Houston Rockets is on the schedule.
Caleb Wilson, whose UNC career was cut short by injuries and whose absence coincided with Hubert Davis’s firing, cried before his NBA Summer League debut, saying it’s been five months since he last played and that he felt terrible about UNC’s NCAA Tournament exit and his coach’s firing. He carries the burden of that moment into his pro career and uses it as motivation as he starts in the Summer League.
Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 pick, exploded for 35 points on 12-for-21 shooting with seven 3-pointers, plus five rebounds, three blocks and two steals in his NBA Summer League debut for Chicago, setting the record for most points in a Summer League debut in a 97-96 loss to Memphis. The UNC alum returned after a five-month layoff following a hand fracture and a thumb injury that ended his college season.
Caleb Wilson, the Chicago Bulls' No. 4 pick, erupted for 35 points in his NBA Summer League debut against Memphis, including a 7-of-11 night from beyond the arc and an 8-0 run in the third quarter, setting the Summer League record for most points in a debut, though Chicago fell 97-96. The performance injects optimism about his shooting ability despite the loss and the typical Summer League caveats.
Yaxel Lendeborg impressed in Golden State's summer league, posting a 21-point, 10-rebound, 6-assist double-double and signaling he could be in the rotation as a potential opening-night starter. His path hinges on LeBron James' free-agent decision: if James signs elsewhere, a vacancy at small forward could thrust Lendeborg into a starting role from day one; if James signs with the Warriors, Lendeborg could still develop as a ball-handler/shooter and push for significant minutes while learning from a legend. Either way, the 11th overall pick has Warriors fans' attention for next season.
No. 1 pick AJ Dybantsa and No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson delivered a compelling glimpse of the NBA's future in Las Vegas, combining for 51 points in the Summer League opener as scouts and fans watched two top prospects show the potential of the next generation.
In Las Vegas, the Warriors beat the Mavericks 101-90 in NBA Summer League action as Yaxel Lendeborg posted 21 points, 10 rebounds, six assists and a game-high plus-26, while LJ Cryer added 25 points; the Michigan trio of Lendeborg, Cryer, Morez Johnson Jr., and Aday Mara highlighted Golden State’s versatile play as Cryer shined from three and Lendeborg showed scoring and playmaking ahead of Sunday’s game vs. Oklahoma City.
Labaron Philon Jr., the 22nd overall pick, opened his NBA Summer League career with the Sixers in Las Vegas, scoring 18 points with 7 assists in a 101-93 win over the Pistons. He flashed an elite handle and playmaking for a young, guard-heavy roster, while Johni Broome contributed with interior scoring and rebounding. The game emphasized development over results, but Philon’s early showing gives Philadelphia optimism about his fit as a stabilizing guard and the team’s path to depth for 2026-27.