​The Memphis Grizzlies kicked off NBA Summer League play in Las Vegas with a thrilling 97-96 victory over the Chicago Bulls at the Thomas & Mack Center on July 10. The bout drew intense attention as the first meeting between the No. 3 and No. 4 picks in the 2026 NBA Draft, highlighting a promising clash of young talents from Memphis and Chicago. On the floor, Cam Boozer for the Grizzlies and Caleb Wilson for the Bulls delivered standout performances, while both sides had contributions across the board in a tightly contested game that swung back and forth.
Memphis largely controlled the action through much of the night, but Chicago staged a late rally that threatened to flip the result in the Bulls’ favor. In the end, the Grizzlies’ defense and late-game execution carried the day, sealing a one-point victory that left plenty of takeaways for coaches, scouts, and fans evaluating the next generation of players.
The Boozer-Wilson matchup exceeded expectations and lived up to the pregame billing. Wilson, a 6-foot-10 forward for Chicago, came out aggressive from the opening tip, using his size and ball-handling to create offense off the dribble and drive downhill. Boozer answered with his own blend of versatility, contributing from the post, functioning as a hub on offense, and making timely plays in the pick-and-roll. The duel showcased how each player can influence a game in different ways.
While Wilson leaned into being the primary scoring option, he didn’t accumulate an assist for the night, underscoring his role as a scorer more than a facilitator. Boozer, in contrast, filled the stat sheet with 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block, demonstrating his capability to impact multiple facets of the game. Wilson poured in 35 points, adding five boards, three blocks, and two steals, illustrating his willingness to take over the scoring load for Chicago.
Beyond the Boozer-Wilson head-to-head, Cedric Coward carried over his aggressive mindset from the earlier Salt Lake City summer league games into Las Vegas, bringing a high level of intensity on both ends. Defensively, Coward disrupted Bulls ball handlers with persistent pressure across the full length of the floor and forced several turnovers. Offensively, he was efficient, knocking down shots, aggressively attacking the glass, earning trips to the free-throw line, and creating chances for teammates. Coward finished with a sturdy stat line of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists on a 5-for-12 shooting night, marking a productive performance that underscored his all-around impact.
Looking ahead, Memphis will get two days off before facing the Dallas Mavericks on July 13, a matchup that promises another test for Boozer and the Grizzlies’ developing core. Dallas entered the league with a high-profile rookie presence as well, selecting Michigan forward Morez Johnson Jr. with the No. 9 pick in the 2026 draft, a player who opened his summer league run with 27 points and eight rebounds in a July 9 game against Golden State, setting up a compelling next chapter when the two teams meet.
Additionally, the trade that circulated through the offseason tied these two franchises together in a notable way. Memphis dealt Santi Aldama and the draft rights to guard Tarik Biberovic to Dallas in exchange for AJ Johnson, a top-20 protected 2030 first-round pick via Golden State, and a 2029 second-round pick via Houston. Biberovic, whom Memphis selected in the 2023 draft, did not appear in an NBA game for the Grizzlies before signing a multiyear contract with Dallas on July 10, leaving a familiar name on the move to the Mavericks as both teams evaluate their rotations through Summer League play and beyond.
Overall, the Las Vegas tilt provided a rich early glimpse at the 2026 draft class and the immediate impact players on both rosters. Boozer and Wilson demonstrated why the top picks were generating so much buzz, Coward offered a strong all-around contribution, and the Grizzlies’ ability to close the game strengthened the optimism surrounding Memphis’s evolving core as it continues to build toward the next NBA season.