The expectation is that Karim López will see the floor before Summer League action comes to an end in Las Vegas.
The Memphis Grizzlies continued their Summer League slate against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, and it was another game where they were without first-round pick Karim López.
But before the game, there was an update on his status. The expectation is that López will see the floor before Summer League action comes to an end in Las Vegas.
The Grizzlies, who also had Summer League games in Salt Lake City before continuing the action in Las Vegas, have been without López the whole way. He suffered a mild hamstring strain before the draft, and Memphis has taken a cautious approach with him.
López, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, is just 19 years old. He worked his way into the draft picture as an international prospect, and Memphis will look to maximize his potential at the NBA level.
In the 2025-26 season, he averaged 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.0 assists per game across 31 appearances in the NBL, per Basketball Reference. The forward has good size and athleticism, and his versatility is easy to get excited about. He may be a bit of a project, but the Grizzlies are in a phase where they should be able to develop him the right way.
Some Summer League reps would be valuable for the Mexican-born rookie, so hopefully, he does indeed return to the floor soon. Memphis is guaranteed two more games in Las Vegas, but that could be all. The next game on the schedule is a matchup against the Atlanta Hawks on Thursday.
In Tuesday's game between the Grizzlies and Warriors, Memphis was able to earn a quality win despite some iffy showings from No. 3 overall pick Cameron Boozer (12 points on 4-for-12 shooting) and rising sophomore Cedric Coward (10 points on 2-for-7 shooting).
Boozer, viewed as the jewel of the draft for Memphis, has been fantastic overall this summer. He, López and fellow 2026 draftee Richie Saunders (sidelined for Summer League) are all hoping to help the Grizzlies turn the corner after a few seasons of disappointment.
The player best positioned to make an immediate impact is Boozer, but López and Saunders can't be overlooked.
As Summer League continues, the Grizzlies are now 2-1 in Vegas and may still have a chance to slide into the playoff bracket depending on how the chips fall. Taking care of business on Thursday against the Hawks is a must if Memphis hopes to stay alive for the title.
