Following his MVP performance in the NBA Summer League Championship, Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg directly addressed the Memphis Grizzlies, stating they were not prepared for the pressure of the final game.
"Man, their butts got tight. They puckered up, you know what I mean?" Lendeborg said during his postgame press conference. "Some of us are built for the moment, and some aren’t."
Lendeborg, the 11th overall pick in the NBA Draft, led the Warriors to a comeback victory over the Grizzlies, erasing a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to secure the championship. The Warriors ultimately won the game 94-40.
He finished the decisive game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 steals, contributing nine points in the crucial final quarter. Lendeborg outplayed Memphis' third overall pick, Cameron Boozer, who recorded 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists.
"I’m just very proud of this moment. I’m glad we got to win this," Lendeborg stated after the game. "For the Warriors, what a great way to start."
This championship performance is not the first for Lendeborg on a major stage. He previously scored 13 points to help Michigan defeat UConn in the National Championship game, playing through an injury.
Last season, Lendeborg was recognized as the Big Ten's Player of the Year. His performance in the Summer League suggests he could become a significant contributor for the Warriors in the upcoming NBA season.