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'It Was Alright' -- Mavericks Rookie Morez Johnson Jr. Casually Downplays Eye-Popping NBA Summer League Debut
Morez Johnson Jr. put on a dazzling display for the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday against his former Michigan teammate Yaxel Lendeborg and the Golden State Warriors. Johnson filled up the stat sheet with a game-high 27 points on 12-for-17 shooting and added 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
Despite his impressive NBA Summer League debut, the 6-foot-9 forward/center gave a modest assessment of his performance.
Morez Johnson Jr. Humbly Reacts to Sensational Mavericks Summer League Debut
A day after hiring former Wolverines coach Dusty May last month, the Mavericks reunited him with Johnson. Dallas’ decision to take the bruising big man was easily the biggest surprise early in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Heading into last month’s event, most mock drafts had Johnson somewhere between No. 13 and No. 18. Mavericks president of basketball operations Masai Ujiri did the unexpected and made Johnson the No. 9 pick.
Eager to show that Ujiri made the right choice, Johnson stood out in his debut against no less than a player many thought should have been taken ahead of him in Lendeborg.
After the contest, Johnson swiftly downplayed his big night.
”It was alright. It would have been better if we got the win,” Johnson said during an appearance on “SportsCenter.”
The Warriors won 101-90, and Johnson’s response drew an eye roll from Lendeborg, who was standing beside him during the interview.
Johnson’s early draft selection earned mixed reviews from NBA analysts and observers. Most predicted Lendeborg and Aday Mara to get picked first from Michigan, but the former went to Golden State at No. 11 while the latter dropped a spot behind to the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 12.
The Athletic’s John Hollinger called the Mavericks’ decision to draft Johnson the “strangest reach,” considering they were in a position to get combo guard Brayden Burries. According to Hollinger, Dallas is cramming Johnson “into a crowded frontcourt littered with fours and fives,” prompting him to give the pick a C+ grade.
ESPN had a more positive take, awarding a B+ grade, after highlighting Johnson’s “relentless energy as a defender and rebounder.”
SEE ALSO:‘CAUGHT A BODY,’ ‘Good Lord’ — Wizards’ AJ Dybantsa Stuns NBA World With ‘Highlight-Reel’ Poster Dunk in Summer League Debut
Johnson might have made some of those analysts question their reviews after putting on a show on both ends against the Warriors. He was disruptive on defense, protected the rim, comfortably switched on guards, and made multiple midrange jumpers.
While the defense was as good as advertised, it was his offense that surprised many. If Johnson can maintain that, his ceiling is likely much higher than most scouts and pundits projected.
The Mavericks still have P.J. Washington, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II. Johnson casually brushed off his standout play, but if he continues to exceed expectations, he could quickly challenge that trio for minutes.
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