Mavericks' Balanced Attack Powers Past Grizzlies in Summer League Victory

The Dallas Mavericks earned their first win of the 2026 NBA Summer League with a 96-88 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Las Vegas. The result gave Dallas a confidence boost after an uneven start to the tournament while offering another glimpse at several young players hoping to secure larger roles before the regular season begins. The performance also provided fresh NBA News as multiple prospects continued to strengthen their cases.

Dallas' Depth Proves Too Much for Memphis

One of the biggest reasons behind Dallas' victory was its production from the second unit. The Mavericks' bench contributed 51 of the team's 96 points, allowing the coaching staff to maintain intensity throughout the game while avoiding a significant drop in production whenever substitutions were made.

Darin Green Jr. led Dallas with 18 points while adding five assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Jaden Springer scored 17 points, and center Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu finished with 16 points on an efficient 7-of-8 shooting performance, highlighted by several powerful dunks that energized the team.

Dallas also benefited from balanced contributions across the roster rather than relying on a single scorer. The team's efficient ball movement created open looks throughout the game, while its reserves continued to apply pressure on both ends of the floor. That depth allowed the Mavericks to respond to every Memphis rally and maintain control during the decisive moments of the fourth quarter, adding another positive storyline to the latest NBA News from Summer League.

De Larrea continues to impress

First-round selection Sergio De Larrea delivered one of the night's most complete performances, recording 16 points and 12 assists. His court vision helped create open shots throughout the game, while his calm decision-making became especially valuable during the closing minutes when Memphis attempted to erase the deficit.

Forward Jorge Diaz-Graham also posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, giving Dallas another reliable contributor on both ends of the floor. Even without Ryan Nembhard and Morez Johnson Jr., who missed the game because of illness and injury, the Mavericks showed strong ball movement and efficient shooting, finishing at 50.8 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from three-point range.

One of the most encouraging takeaways for Dallas was De Larrea's ability to control the pace of the offense despite being in the early stages of his professional career. His chemistry with teammates was evident throughout the game, as he consistently found open shooters and made smart reads under pressure. If he continues to develop at this rate, he could establish himself as one of the rising stars in the NBA while becoming an important piece of the Mavericks' future plans beyond Summer League.

Boozer keeps Grizzlies competitive

Memphis stayed within striking distance for most of the contest thanks largely to Cameron Boozer, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. He finished with a game-high 21 points while adding eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals, repeatedly helping the Grizzlies respond whenever Dallas threatened to pull away.

Cedric Coward contributed 17 points, 12 rebounds, and four assists, while Olivier-Maxence Prosper added 18 points. However, Memphis struggled to generate consistent offense beyond its top scorers, shooting just 37.2 percent from the floor and 28.6 percent from beyond the arc, which ultimately limited its comeback chances.

Although Summer League results rarely predict regular-season success, they remain an important opportunity for prospects to gain experience against NBA-level competition. Dallas showed resilience by responding to several Memphis rallies, including a late tie in the fourth quarter, before key three-pointers from De Larrea and Green helped secure the victory.

The game also highlighted several rising stars in the NBA, with De Larrea's passing ability and Boozer's all-around production standing out throughout the matchup. As the Summer League schedule continues, both franchises will be looking for further development from their young cores, but Dallas leaves this contest with momentum after displaying balanced scoring, disciplined defense, and impressive teamwork.