Suns’ Khaman Maluach shows real-time development in win over Hornets

Phoenix Suns rookie Khaman Maluach blocked and dunked his way to a real show of NBA-level development in Sunday night’s 111-99 win against the Charlotte Hornets.

He just about sent guard Josh Green’s layup attempt to Tucson in the first quarter with an emphatic slap and in the second quarter followed up a Devin Booker missed 3 with a two-handed slam.

Whereas in his previous limited NBA minutes he struggled to display on-court awareness, Maluach demonstrated the anticipation players of the highest degree show game in and game out.

MAN MAN pic.twitter.com/q0RBm3sivo

— Cage (@ridiculouscage) March 9, 2026

MALUACH WITH THE PUTBACK pic.twitter.com/AoRbgNOBF9

— Cage (@ridiculouscage) March 9, 2026

Maluach logged his career-high 20 minutes in Friday’s win over the New Orleans Pelicans and again got 20 against Charlotte.

The 7-foot-1 center recorded the team’s fourth-highest plus/minus tally at +10, with recently signed Haywood Highsmith (three points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal) having a team-best +19 in 21 minutes.

Maluach scored four points on 2-of-4 shooting and added nine rebounds (three offensive) and two blocks while only picking up one foul.

Sunday marked the third game after Phoenix announced starting center Mark Williams will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks for a stress reaction in his left foot. It has opened the door to increased roles for Maluach and second-year pro Oso Ighodaro.

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