# The Mexican Milestone: Can Karim López and the Grizzlies Seal the Summer League Title? **By Jordan Wells** \nPublished July 21, 2026 \nUpdated July 21, 2026 > After overcoming a hamstring injury to make a impactful debut, Mexican history-maker Karim López is set to compete in the NBA Summer League Championship with the Memphis Grizzlies. For Karim López, the journey to the NBA has been defined as much by physical resilience as by historical significance. On the evening of Sunday, July 19, 2026, the 19-year-old Sonoran standout stands on the precipice of another milestone: competing in the NBA Summer League Championship game. After a summer plagued by injury concerns, López is no longer just a name in a draft report; he is a key piece of a Memphis Grizzlies squad that has fought its way to the final summit in Las Vegas. ## The Weight of a First-Round Debut López did not arrive in Memphis through the traditional domestic route. The 2.06-meter (6'9") forward from Hermosillo, Sonora, spent his developmental years navigating the elite basketball landscapes of Europe and Australia. From the academy of Joventut Badalona in Spain to a high-octane stint with the New Zealand Breakers in the NBL, López has been building a profile of a versatile, high-IQ prospect. His credentials within the *Next Stars* program are particularly striking. Before even stepping onto an NBA court, López set a scoring record for draft-eligible players in the program with 358 points, eclipsing figures previously posted by established NBA talents such as LaMelo Ball and Josh Giddey. This pedigree made him a focal point of the 2026 NBA Draft, where he made history as the first player born in Mexico to be selected in the first round. Originally claimed by the Detroit Pistons with the 21st overall pick, his rights were immediately moved to Memphis in a trade that signaled the Grizzlies' intent to build around his physical capacity to attack the rim and defend multiple positions. ## Fighting Through the Friction However, the transition to the professional pace has not been seamless. The high expectations surrounding the Grizzlies' new arrival were momentarily dampened by a left hamstring distension. The injury, which reportedly existed even before his draft night, forced López to miss six games in Salt Lake City and sidelined him for the Grizzlies' opening Las Vegas matchup against Oklahoma City on July 10. Memphis opted for medical caution, prioritizing long-term health over immediate Summer League gratification. When López finally stepped onto the court in a 96-64 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, his impact was concentrated but telling. In just 11 minutes of action, he recorded four rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. While a small sample size, his ability to impact the game defensively in limited minutes suggests the "defensive versatility" the Grizzlies' front office projected is already beginning to manifest. ### Summer League Rulebook: The "One Free Throw" Shift Fans watching the Grizzlies' championship run may notice a different rhythm to the game. The NBA is currently testing the **"one free throw rule"** to accelerate play. Under this system, most shooting fouls result in a single free throw worth the total value of the missed shots. For instance, a foul on a missed three-point attempt results in one shot worth three points. This rule, a staple of the G League, aims to reduce game length and maintain intensity. ## A Championship Blueprint: Memphis vs. Golden State The road to the final has required Memphis to navigate a gauntlet of rising stars. After a dominant semifinal performance where Cedric Coward poured in 28 points to lead the Grizzlies past the Rockets, Memphis now faces a Golden State Warriors team that has shown incredible late-game poise. The Warriors advance to the final following a gritty 92-88 semifinal victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. That win was powered by Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 11 pick, who delivered 15 points, including seven critical points in the fourth quarter. The championship matchup presents a fascinating tactical battle: the Memphis Grizzlies, led by the interior presence of No. 3 pick Cameron Boozer and the defensive upside of López, against a Warriors squad fueled by the momentum of Lendeborg. ### The Final Matchup: Schedule and Viewing Guide For fans looking to witness the culmination of the 2026 Las Vegas Summer League, the championship game is set for **Sunday night, July 19, 2026**. Event Matchup Time (ET) Broadcast Channel NBA Summer League Championship Memphis Grizzlies vs. Golden State Warriors 9:00 PM ESPN Whether López can translate his defensive flashes into a championship-winning performance remains to be seen, but for Mexican basketball, the presence of a first-round talent in the final game of the summer is a victory in itself. ## Sources - [Por Alexander Ortiz Agregar Infobae en Agrega Infobae a tus medios preferidos en Google](https://www.infobae.com/mexico/deportes/2026/07/17/el-mexicano-karim-lopez-debuta-con-memphis-grizzlies-en-la-nba-summer-league/) — original - [nbcsandiego.com](https://www.nbcsandiego.com/nba/las-vegas-summer-league-2026-schedule-tv-channel-stream/4046349/) — original - [nbcsports.com](https://www.nbcsports.com/nba/news/how-to-watch-nba-summer-league-in-las-vegas-featuring-aj-dybantsa-darryn-peterson-and-more) — original - [Diego Reza](https://www.telediario.mx/deportes/basquetbol/karim-lopez-por-que-no-ha-debutado-en-nba-summer-league-2026) — original - [ESPN](https://espndeportes.espn.com/basquetbol/nota/_/id/16950657/nba-summer-league-2026-karim-lopez-grizzlies-que-debes-saber-calendario-juegos) — original - [ESPN](https://www.espn.com.mx/basquetbol/nota/_/id/16950657/nba-summer-league-2026-karim-lopez-grizzlies-que-debes-saber-calendario-juegos) — original - [nba.com](https://www.nba.com/news/2026-nba-summer-league-warriors-lakers) — original