Grizzlies secure Summer League semifinals spot with decisive win over Hawks
The No. 3 overall pick rebounds from recent struggles to lead Memphis past Atlanta, while Karim López makes his debut.
The Memphis Grizzlies have secured their place in the NBA Summer League semifinals following a dominant victory over the Atlanta Hawks on July 16, 2026. The win was driven by a strong performance from Cam Boozer, the team’s No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, who scored 24 points and recorded seven rebounds.
Boozer, who had endured two solid-but-not-spectacular performances in previous games on July 13 and 14, responded to recent scrutiny by scoring the first four points of the contest. His output helped Memphis open the game with a 21-0 run, a start that allowed the Grizzlies to maintain control throughout the match and secure a blowout victory.
The decision to keep Boozer and other top draft picks in the lineup contrasts with the approach of other teams, which have chosen to rest their highest selections. The Grizzlies opted to continue playing their key contributors as they pursued a spot in the summer league playoffs, a strategy that paid dividends against the Hawks.
The match also marked the NBA Summer League debut for Karim López, the No. 21 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft. The 19-year-old forward, who is the first-ever Mexican-born player selected in the first round of the draft, returned to the court after recovering from a mild left hamstring strain sustained during the pre-draft process. López previously played for the New Zealand Breakers in the National Basketball League during the 2025-26 season.
Memphis will determine their next opponent once the remaining games on July 16 conclude. The outcome of this victory ensures the Grizzlies advance to the next stage of the tournament, building on a summer campaign that has seen Boozer largely impress despite brief periods of struggle.
