The Memphis Grizzlies pulled away in the second half to defeat the Golden State Warriors 106-85 on Tuesday in the 2026 NBA Summer League at Pavilion, powered by a big night from Javon Small and a barrage of 3-pointers. The win moved Memphis to 2-1 in Summer League action, matching Golden State’s 2-1 mark.
After a tightly contested opening half, the Grizzlies turned the game into a runaway with a dominant third quarter, creating separation that held up the rest of the way. Memphis’ ability to score efficiently from deep and keep the Warriors from answering in kind proved decisive in a matchup that featured multiple momentum swings early.
Third-quarter surge turns a close game into a blowout
The first half was competitive, with nine ties and four lead changes, as neither team could establish lasting control. That changed coming out of the break, when Memphis delivered a 29-13 third quarter that flipped the game in its favor and set the tone for the closing stretch.
Memphis pushed the lead as high as 27 points and maintained a double-digit advantage for the final 15 minutes, keeping Golden State at bay as the Warriors struggled to generate enough offense to close the gap. The Grizzlies’ sustained cushion over the final portion of the game allowed them to coast to the finish, turning what had been a back-and-forth contest into a comfortable win.
Shooting efficiency was a major separator. Memphis went 17-for-32 from 3-point range, while Golden State finished 10-for-32 from beyond the arc. The Grizzlies also converted at the line, going 15-for-20 on free throws, while the Warriors were perfect but limited in volume at 5-for-5.
Javon Small leads Memphis; bench scoring adds punch
Small led the Grizzlies with 26 points, adding four rebounds, seven assists and two blocks in a well-rounded performance. His production anchored Memphis’ offense as the Grizzlies built their second-half lead and maintained control through the final minutes.
Memphis also received contributions across the roster. Taylor Hendricks finished with 13 points and six rebounds. Another Grizzlies contributor posted 12 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, helping Memphis on both ends as the game opened up after halftime.
Off the bench, Brendan Hausen provided a significant scoring lift, leading Memphis’ reserves with 20 points and three rebounds. The Grizzlies’ ability to get scoring from multiple sources complemented their perimeter shooting and helped them sustain their advantage once the third-quarter run created separation.
Warriors paced by Lendeborg as offense stalls after halftime
For Golden State, Yaxel Lendeborg led the way with 15 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals. Malevy Leons added 10 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, while Will Richard contributed 11 points and three rebounds.
The Warriors also got bench production, with Chance McMillian leading Golden State’s reserves with 11 points. However, Golden State couldn’t keep pace after the break, particularly as Memphis’ third-quarter burst widened the margin and the Warriors’ 3-point shooting (10-for-32) failed to provide the needed counterpunch.
What’s next in the 2026 NBA Summer League
Both teams return to action Thursday. Memphis will face the Atlanta Hawks, while Golden State will play the New York Knicks as Summer League schedules continue with both clubs sitting at 2-1 after Tuesday’s result.