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The Memphis Grizzlies made it clear before their game against the Atlanta Hawks on July 16 that they were laser-focused on making the NBA Summer League playoffs.
They did that by choosing to keep playing their top players, including Cedric Coward and Cam Boozer. Many teams shut their players down or rest them as summer league goes on, and that was very apparent in the game because the Hawks were resting both of their first-round picks, Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor.
When the game started, the Grizzlies doubled down on that.
Memphis started the game on a 21-0 run, then opened up a 32-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. That was the fewest points allowed in a quarter in NBA Summer League history.
It was fairly academic after that, as the Grizzlies ultimately eased to a 96-64 win at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Here are our takeways.
Coward was a first-team All-Rookie player in the 2024-25 season, so he clearly entered summer league as one of the best players in the entire tournament. He had an up-and-down experience, though.
For the last two games, Coward had struggled with his shot and had forced things on both sides of the ball. But there was no sign of that against the Hawks.
Coward scored 23 points to go with three rebounds and three assists
Boozer also had an impressive game, scoring 24 points on an efficient 10-for-13 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds. Both Coward and Boozer played with energy early on and helped the Grizzlies establish their massive lead in the first quarter.
López was the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but he'd missed the entirety of summer league because of a mild left hamstring strain he suffered during the pre-draft process.
López only played 11 minutes. He didn't get too much opportunity to involve himself offensively but scored and didn't score, but he grabbed four rebounds.
He clearly made an impact on the defensive side of the ball, though. López got a steal shortly after checking in to the game for the first time and was consistently involved in the Grizzlies' defensive pressure. He also tallied two blocks.
The blowout win moved the Grizzlies' point differential high enough to guarantee them a spot in the semifinals. They'll play on July 18, with their opponent to be finalized after the games end on July 16.
Memphis is looking for its first NBA Summer League title since 2019. The Grizzlies made it to the final in 2024 but lost in overtime to the Heat.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Cam Boozer, Cedric Coward dominate and other takeaways from Grizzlies' win vs Hawks
Continue reading...
They did that by choosing to keep playing their top players, including Cedric Coward and Cam Boozer. Many teams shut their players down or rest them as summer league goes on, and that was very apparent in the game because the Hawks were resting both of their first-round picks, Kingston Flemings and Zuby Ejiofor.
When the game started, the Grizzlies doubled down on that.
Memphis started the game on a 21-0 run, then opened up a 32-2 lead at the end of the first quarter. That was the fewest points allowed in a quarter in NBA Summer League history.
It was fairly academic after that, as the Grizzlies ultimately eased to a 96-64 win at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
Here are our takeways.
Cedric Coward gets back on top
Coward was a first-team All-Rookie player in the 2024-25 season, so he clearly entered summer league as one of the best players in the entire tournament. He had an up-and-down experience, though.
For the last two games, Coward had struggled with his shot and had forced things on both sides of the ball. But there was no sign of that against the Hawks.
Coward scored 23 points to go with three rebounds and three assists
Boozer also had an impressive game, scoring 24 points on an efficient 10-for-13 shooting and grabbing seven rebounds. Both Coward and Boozer played with energy early on and helped the Grizzlies establish their massive lead in the first quarter.
Karim López makes his Grizzlies debut
López was the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, but he'd missed the entirety of summer league because of a mild left hamstring strain he suffered during the pre-draft process.
López only played 11 minutes. He didn't get too much opportunity to involve himself offensively but scored and didn't score, but he grabbed four rebounds.
He clearly made an impact on the defensive side of the ball, though. López got a steal shortly after checking in to the game for the first time and was consistently involved in the Grizzlies' defensive pressure. He also tallied two blocks.
Next up
The blowout win moved the Grizzlies' point differential high enough to guarantee them a spot in the semifinals. They'll play on July 18, with their opponent to be finalized after the games end on July 16.
Memphis is looking for its first NBA Summer League title since 2019. The Grizzlies made it to the final in 2024 but lost in overtime to the Heat.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at [email protected] or on X @thejonahdylan.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Cam Boozer, Cedric Coward dominate and other takeaways from Grizzlies' win vs Hawks
Continue reading...
