Yaxel Lendeborg Wins Second Ring in Four Months with Warriors Summer League Title

A Big Win in Las Vegas

On Sunday in Las Vegas, a player named Yaxel Lendeborg won his second championship ring in just four months! He helped the Golden State Warriors beat the Memphis Grizzlies by a score of 94–90. This game was the NBA Summer League championship, played at a place called UNLV’s Thomas & Mack Center.

Think of the Summer League like a practice tournament where new and young NBA players show what they can do.

Meet Yaxel Lendeborg

• He played college basketball at the University of Michigan and won the big NCAA title last season.
• In the championship game, he scored 21 points and grabbed 10 rebounds (a rebound is when you catch the ball after a missed shot).
• He was the 11th pick in last month’s NBA draft (the draft is like a choosing game where teams pick new players).
• He went up against Cameron Boozer, another top new player, and outplayed him.
• He is now just the second player ever to win both a college championship and a Vegas Summer League title in the same year. The first was Davion Mitchell.

Important Point: Lendeborg said he just wants to prove he is a "winner" and doesn’t care about personal stats—only the team winning. He said Michigan and the Warriors both play "team ball," and that’s what wins games.

What Happened in the Game?

Here is how the game went, step by step:

1. The Warriors finished the tournament with a 5–1 record (5 wins, 1 loss).
2. At halftime, the two teams were tied.
3. Boozer (picked 3rd overall from Duke) scored 19 points for Memphis and even gave them a 10-point lead in the third quarter.
4. Lendeborg fought back with three quick baskets in the fourth quarter to help the Warriors come back.
5. In the final minute, Memphis had chances to win or tie, but Boozer missed a 3-point shot and another player threw the ball away.
6. The Warriors won 94–90!

Other Warriors helpers:

• Deivon Smith scored 21 points off the bench (a "bench" player is not in the starting five).
• LJ Cryer and two others also scored double-digit points (10 or more).

Why This Win Matters for the Warriors

• This is the Warriors’ second Summer League championship.
• Only two other teams (Sacramento Kings and Portland Trail Blazers) have won it more than once since 2013.
• Lendeborg said Memphis "got tight" (nervous) at the end, but Golden State’s "will to not lose" helped them win.

About Cameron Boozer and Memphis

• Boozer is only 19 and was the 3rd pick.
• His team went 4–2 in the event.
• Memphis traded away their old star players Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr., so Boozer is expected to lead their young team.
• Boozer said he needs to "assert himself more" but loved the intense game.

A Little Revenge

Lendeborg’s Michigan team lost to Boozer’s Duke team back in February. He said he thinks about revenge every time they play. He also joked that referees "save" Boozer and said he is competitive with everyone drafted ahead of him.

What’s Next for Lendeborg?

• In Summer League, he was the star scorer.
• On the real Warriors, he will be a support player for veterans Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
• Summer League coach Khalid Robinson said Lendeborg’s size, skills, and competitive spirit make him perfect for that job.

Important Point: Robinson said when the team was losing, Lendeborg’s competitive spirit kicked in and he said, "let’s get to it."

Summary

Yaxel Lendeborg won his second ring in four months by leading the Golden State Warriors to a 94–90 Summer League win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The 11th draft pick scored 21 points and 10 rebounds, beating 3rd pick Cameron Boozer. The Warriors won their second title, and Lendeborg showed he is a team-first winner ready to help stars like Curry next season.

FAQ

Q: What is the NBA Summer League?
A: It’s a tournament in Las Vegas where new and young NBA players compete to show their skills before the real season.

Q: What does "double digits" mean in basketball?
A: It means a player scored 10 or more points in the game.

Q: Why is Lendeborg’s win special?
A: He is only the second player to win a college championship and the Vegas Summer League title in the same year.

Q: Will Lendeborg be a star on the main Warriors team?
A: Not the main star—he will support veterans like Stephen Curry, but his coach says he fits great because of his size and spirit.