Former Michigan teammates Yaxel Lendeborg and Morez Johnson Jr. brought their college chemistry to the NBA Summer League on Thursday night, turning a competitive matchup between the Golden State Warriors and Dallas Mavericks into a memorable reunion. While the Warriors earned a convincing 101-90 victory in Las Vegas, the friendship between the two rookies remained one of the evening’s highlights.
After helping Michigan capture the 2025-26 national championship, both players entered the NBA with high expectations. Johnson was selected ninth overall by the Mavericks in the 2026 NBA Draft, while Lendeborg followed two picks later at No. 11 to the Warriors, setting the stage for many future meetings at the professional level.
Their first matchup as NBA players lived up to expectations. Both delivered productive performances for their respective teams, showcasing the skills that made them standout prospects while offering fans an early glimpse of their potential careers.
The entertainment continued after the final buzzer, when Lendeborg interrupted Johnson’s postgame media session with a playful question, producing a lighthearted exchange that reflected the close relationship the two built during their championship season together.
1. Friendly Rivalry Takes Center Stage
Although the game carried the usual intensity of Summer League competition, the connection between Lendeborg and Johnson added another layer of intrigue. The former teammates spent the previous college season playing side by side before becoming lottery picks in the same NBA Draft.
Lendeborg enjoyed an outstanding all-around performance for Golden State, finishing with 21 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. His versatility stood out throughout the contest as he contributed as both a scorer and facilitator while helping the Warriors control the game.
Following the victory, Lendeborg decided to surprise his former teammate by walking into Johnson’s press conference. Speaking with a smile, he jokingly asked, “How does it feel to play against Yaxel Lendeborg? I know you guys were teammates last year.”
Johnson responded with equal humor, pretending not to recognize his former teammate by asking, “Who’s that?” The playful exchange quickly drew laughs and highlighted the mutual respect and friendship the two players continue to share despite now representing different NBA organizations.
2. Warriors Pull Away in Second Quarter
On the court, the game remained competitive during the opening period. Golden State held only a narrow 24-20 advantage after the first quarter as both teams settled into the pace of Summer League play.
The Warriors created separation in the second quarter with a dominant stretch on both ends of the floor. They outscored Dallas 35-19 during the period, using efficient offense and improved defensive pressure to build a comfortable halftime lead.
That decisive quarter proved to be the difference. Although the Mavericks showed greater urgency after halftime, they were unable to erase the sizeable deficit and spent the remainder of the game trying to close the gap.
Golden State maintained its composure throughout the second half, answering each Dallas push and preserving its lead until the final buzzer. The balanced team effort gave the Warriors a successful start while highlighting several promising young contributors.
3. Johnson Impresses Despite Dallas Loss
Despite ending up on the losing side, Johnson delivered one of the strongest individual performances of the night. The rookie forward scored 27 points while adding eight rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocked shots in an impressive all-around display.
Johnson was highly efficient offensively, converting 12 of his 17 field-goal attempts. He also connected on one three-pointer and made both of his free-throw attempts, consistently finding ways to impact the game even as Dallas struggled to keep pace with Golden State.
The Mavericks also received solid contributions from several teammates. Ryan Nembhard finished with 15 points and 11 assists, John Poulakidas added 14 points, while Sergio de Larrea chipped in nine points and six rebounds. Their efforts helped Dallas remain competitive despite facing a significant halftime deficit.
Dallas will now shift its attention to the next stage of Summer League competition with a matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, both Johnson and Lendeborg will continue adjusting to the NBA game, hoping to build on encouraging debuts as they begin their professional careers.