Golden State needed every possession in the final 90 seconds to keep its summer alive. The Warriors edged the Los Angeles Lakers, the only unbeaten team in Las Vegas, 92-88. They survived 18 lead changes, 10 ties and a closing stretch that offered almost no room for error.
LJ Cryer scored nine of his 16 points in the fourth quarter. Graham Ike matched him with 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. Yaxel Lendeborg added 15 points, while Chance McMillian supplied 14 from the bench and made all four of his three-point attempts.
The Lakers had a chance to move ahead while trailing 88-87 inside the final minute, but a turnover ended the possession without a clean shot. Golden State protected the lead from there. Will Richard finished the job by stealing the Lakers’ inbound pass with seven seconds left.
That win sends Golden State into a championship rematch with Memphis. In the other semifinal, the Grizzlies beat Houston 101-90. They also own a 106-85 win over Golden State in Las Vegas.
Cryer Takes Control When the Game Tightens
The semifinal never settled into a comfortable rhythm for either team. Every small run drew an answer. Los Angeles finished the third quarter with a three-point lead, then Golden State opened the fourth with an 8-0 burst.
Cryer became the stabilizer. He scored nine points in the final period and hit a three-pointer that pushed the Warriors ahead by five with 6:36 remaining. When the Lakers closed the gap again, he kept the offense organized and prevented the game from turning frantic.
Los Angeles still had chances. Arthur Kaluma cut into the margin at the free-throw line, Adou Thiero made it a one-possession game, and Cameron Carr sank two free throws to pull the Lakers within one with 1:12 left.
That was where Golden State’s defense changed the night. The Lakers did not make a field goal over the final 90 seconds. Their chance to take the lead at 88-87 disappeared on a turnover, and the Warriors kept forcing Los Angeles to play from behind.
Chris Mañon later drew a foul on a three-point attempt but made only two of three free throws. McMillian answered with two at the other end, restoring a three-point lead with 8.3 seconds remaining.
Richard then read the inbound pass, stepped into the passing lane and stole it cleanly. He made one free throw after the foul and closed the door.
Golden State’s Depth Creates Problems From Every Spot
The Warriors did not reach the final because one player took over the entire game. Their offense worked because several players punished different parts of the Lakers’ defense.
Ike gave Golden State a steady interior target and controlled the glass. His presence near the rim forced Los Angeles to pull defenders toward the paint, opening cleaner looks outside. Cryer and McMillian took advantage, combining for eight three-pointers.
McMillian’s 14 bench points were not empty production. His four-for-four shooting from deep repeatedly punished late rotations and stopped the Lakers from shrinking the floor. Golden State finished 12 for 24 from three-point range, a major edge in a game decided by four points.
Lendeborg filled the gaps. He scored seven points in the fourth quarter, made two critical free throws with 14 seconds left and added two blocks. His 15 points came without forcing the offense, which mattered in a game where Golden State needed balance more than volume.
Afterward, Lendeborg pointed to the work behind the run and the opportunity still ahead.
“It means a lot. We worked really hard to get here. We’re gonna continue to do our best and try to bring it home.”
That confidence now meets a difficult reality. The Warriors already know Memphis can overwhelm this group.
Memphis Brings the Size and Force Golden State Must Match
Memphis bullied its way into the championship game. The Grizzlies jumped on Houston early, built a 24-9 lead after the first quarter and never trailed in a 101-90 win.
Cedric Coward controlled the semifinal with 28 points, six rebounds and five assists. Javon Small added 17 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Cameron Boozer gave Memphis another strong all-around performance with 12 points, 12 rebounds and five assists.
The Grizzlies crashed the glass relentlessly and doubled Houston 20-10 in second-chance points. They also made 17 of 18 free throws, which neutralized Houston’s 16 three-pointers and prevented a serious late comeback.
Golden State understands the threat because Memphis exposed it earlier in the week. The teams were close through the first half, but the Grizzlies ripped open the game with a 29-13 third quarter. Memphis hit 17 of 32 shots from deep and turned a competitive matchup into a 106-85 rout.
Small scored 26 points in that meeting. Boozer added 12 points, seven rebounds and three steals, while Brendan Hausen scored 20 from the bench. Memphis attacked in waves and forced Golden State to defend far beyond its primary options.
That 21-point defeat gives the Warriors clear film to study. It also leaves no question about the standard required in the rematch.
The Final Will Test Golden State’s Poise and Physicality
Golden State cannot beat Memphis by relying only on hot outside shooting. The Warriors must first survive the glass, limit second-chance opportunities and keep the Grizzlies from building another early cushion.
Ike and Lendeborg will carry much of that burden inside. Richard must bring the same anticipation that decided the semifinal. Cryer and McMillian need to stretch the defense, but their shooting will matter more if Golden State earns those looks through paint pressure and quick ball movement.
Memphis will look to bully the Warriors inside, then use that pressure to free Coward, Small and its shooters. Boozer does not need 25 points to control the game. His rebounding, passing and physical play can tilt possessions before a shot even goes up.
The semifinal victory proved Golden State can execute with the game balanced on one possession. Beating Memphis will demand more. The Warriors must match the Grizzlies physically, protect the ball and avoid the third-quarter collapse that buried them in the first meeting.
They earned the rematch by surviving Los Angeles. Now they have to show they learned from Memphis.
READ ALSO: Memphis Grizzlies Punch Semifinal Ticket as Cameron Boozer Shines in Historic Rout of Atlanta
FAQs
Who won the Warriors vs. Lakers Summer League semifinal?
Golden State beat Los Angeles 92-88 and advanced to the NBA Summer League championship game.
Who led the Warriors in scoring against the Lakers?
LJ Cryer and Graham Ike scored 16 points each. Yaxel Lendeborg added 15, while Chance McMillian scored 14.
Who will the Warriors face in the Summer League final?
The Warriors will face the Memphis Grizzlies in a championship rematch.
What happened when Memphis previously played Golden State?
Memphis beat Golden State 106-85 and made 17 of its 32 three-point attempts.
How did Memphis reach the Summer League championship game?
Memphis defeated Houston 101-90 behind Cedric Coward’s 28 points, six rebounds and five assists.
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