​The Memphis Grizzlies closed out their Salt Lake City Summer League slate on Tuesday with a 96-82 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks. The game featured a few notable absences on both sides, including Cameron Boozer, Kingston Flemings, and Zuby Ejiofor, as well as several non-rookies who had made an impact in prior Salt Lake City games. With the Las Vegas Summer League just around the corner, Tuesday’s matchup largely served as a rest day for many players.
On the floor, Atlanta took control, and guard Devon Higgs emerged as the standout for the Hawks. Higgs delivered a highly efficient 22-point performance, shooting 7-for-9 from the field, 2-for-3 from three-point range, and 3-for-4 from the foul line. He complemented his scoring with five rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, making a significant impact in a game that helped Atlanta close out their summer slate on a high note.
For Memphis, Brendan Hausen led the scoring effort. The rookie, who did not start for Iowa in the previous season, earned a spot in the Grizzlies’ starting five on Tuesday and responded with 21 points on a 5-for-11 mark from three-point range. Hausen’s performance showcased his potential as a perimeter threat and provided a bright spot for a Grizzlies squad that was without some of their top prospects.
Memphis also received a strong contribution from its bench, which was a major positive takeaway from the night. The Grizzlies deployed an eight-man rotation, and the bench trio lived up to expectations. Jevon Porter posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, adding a strong all-around game to the stat sheet. Carson Cooper reached double figures as well, finishing with 12 points and five boards. Zach Cleveland came close to a double-double, tallying eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists, further illustrating the depth and versatility of Memphis’ reserves.
Despite the encouraging performances from the bench and Hausen’s scoring burst, the result didn’t tilt in Memphis’s favor. Boozer’s absence was felt, as the young franchise cornerstone has shown promise in his Summer League action and is expected to rejoin the squad in Las Vegas for additional summer competition. Boozer’s absence underscored how essential his development and production will be to Memphis’s long-term plans in this summer league context.
Memphis entered Salt Lake City with momentum after winning their opener, but they dropped their next two games to finish 1-2 in Utah. Their solitary victory—a dominant 111-74 demolition of the Oklahoma City Thunder—illustrated the potential the team possesses when everything comes together. As the Grizzlies shift focus to Las Vegas, fans and analysts alike will be watching to see if the roster can translate that Utah success into a stronger overall Summer League run in Nevada.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies will aim to build on the positives from Salt Lake City while addressing the gaps highlighted by Tuesday’s game. With a talented roster and the continued development of young players, Memphis has the foundation to challenge for a deeper run in Las Vegas. If they can integrate Boozer’s impact when he returns and sustain the productive bench play they demonstrated in Utah, the Grizzlies could position themselves as a formidable challenger in the Summer League title race.
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