LAS VEGAS — The Dallas Mavericks held on for a 96-88 victory against the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in the NBA Summer League.
Dallas (1-2) was led by recent first-round draft pick Sergio De Larrea, who showcased his court vision in a 16-point and 12-assist performance. Throughout the game, De Larrea dissected the pick-and-roll, creating easy shots for his teammates and making timely plays for himself.
“I think he’s got an amazing feel for the game,” Mavericks Summer League coach Joe Boylan said. “He was sending me clips last night about how to attack the defense Memphis runs, so he’s a student of the game. He’s studying film. Some of it’s innate. He has a great knack and feel.”
With 3:27 remaining in a two-point contest, De Larrea used a screen to get the switch he wanted before stepping back for a contested three from the left wing, drilling it. Then, holding an 84-80 lead with 1:12 remaining, De Larrea received a spray-out pass and knocked down another triple from the left wing to put the game away.
“You just feel so comfortable with the ball in his hands,” Boylan said. “As soon as the lead got to 10, he really made sure he was on the ball, controlling things, directing traffic and getting guys into their spots. His ability to make a shot, break guys down off the dribble and pass the ball—it was a complete performance tonight.”
Cameron Boozer Lifts Memphis Early
Memphis’ Cameron Boozer got to the rim for an easy two on the first play of the game. Taken third in the 2026 NBA Draft, Boozer was all over the court early. He navigated double teams and used his strength to get inside position while staying active on the boards.
Boozer posted 21 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 steals in the contest, looking dominant despite lackluster shooting efficiency from the rookie.
Boylan credited second-round pick Vsevolod Ishchenko with making Boozer work for his shots and swarming him in the game.
“He guarded one of the best players at Summer League and gave him hell,” Boylan said. “He was physical, into his body, competing, battling catches, pushing catches out, contesting passes and contesting the dribble.”
Behind Boozer, the Grizzlies (1-1) started to separate themselves in the first quarter, but Dallas seized its opportunity when he was subbed out with 5:53 in the opening period. Down 10-8, the Memphis offense sputtered and the Mavericks peeled off a 9-2 run before Boozer was re-inserted into the lineup.
Threes And Dunks Keep Dallas Afloat
Dallas carried that momentum to a 12-point lead by the 1:20 mark of the first before Taylor Hendricks made his presence felt for the Grizzlies. Noticing an opening in the paint, Hendricks drove baseline for a ferocious slam and drilled a three-pointer on the next possession to cut the Mavericks’ lead to 24-19.
The second and third quarters were a back-and-forth affair, neither team relinquishing the game.
Dallas leaned on three-point shooting and rim pressure in the stretch. By halftime, the Mavericks were shooting 6-for-11 from beyond the arc, with Jaden Springer hitting a pair and Darin Green Jr. adding three more.
Springer looked comfortable navigating the defense with his speed throughout, totaling 17 points on 5-for-10 shooting. Green Jr. finished with five triples en route to 18 points and 5 assists.
Kaodirichi Akobundu-Ehiogu helped with rim pressure. With De Larrea throwing precision alley-oop passes, Akobundu-Ehiogu feasted around the rim. He threw down five dunks in the game, and his activity was palpable, helping Dallas ward off a looming Memphis.
“(Akobundu-Ehiogu), who I already knew from the ACB, and the rest of the players have a great ability to jump and play above the rim,” De Larrea said. “My job is simple. I just have to put the ball up there, and they’ll catch it. I’m really happy with the work we’ve done these past few weeks, especially the connection we’ve built with the rollers and with everyone on the team. That’s allowing us to create those kinds of shots.”
Akobundu-Ehiogu ended his night with 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks in the win.
For the Grizzlies, Olivier-Maxence Prosper contributed an efficient 18 points and 5 rebounds, but Cedric Coward was held to just 7-for-23 from the floor with 5 turnovers.
The Mavericks were without Morez Johnson Jr. and Ryan Nembhard, who were ruled out shortly before the game. Johnson Jr. was dealing with left calf soreness and Nembhard was afflicted with an illness.
What’s Next?
Memphis returns to action against the Golden State Warriors (2-0) at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
Dallas next plays versus the Oklahoma City Thunder (0-2) at 3 p.m. on Thursday.
