Khaman Maluach shows night-and-day difference in 2nd NBA Summer League

Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach took a bit to get going on Friday against the Portland Trail Blazers, like the rest of his Summer League squad. But once he got rolling, the 7-footer showcased nothing but improvement from Las Vegas exhibitions one year ago.

Maluach not only looked more filled out physically from last July, he also displayed an aggressiveness and maturity to his game. His refined physique was evident on Portland’s first offensive possession, as Maluach bodied and contained his matchup at the rim.

He could audibly be heard communicating on defense and even demonstrated a willingness to shoot from 3-point range after only getting up 21 attempts last season.

The 2025 No. 10 pick led all Suns scorers with 19 points on 7-of-14 shooting, knocking down a trio of 3s (3-of-7), and notched a double-double with 11 rebounds in 26 minutes. His night was far from perfect with seven turnovers.

Khaman Maluach in our first game in Vegas

☄️ 19 PTS
☄️ 11 REB
☄️ 7-15 FG
☄️ 3 3PM
☄️ 2 STL
☄️ 1 BLK pic.twitter.com/gzRgjRvHpj

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) July 11, 2026

Maluach left the court with an athletic trainer to get some work done on his right calf, but he returned to the bench and checked back into the game with about 90 seconds remaining.

How did other Suns look in 1st Summer League game?

• Rasheer Fleming, on his 22nd birthday, scored six points on 3-of-9 shooting but was a disappointing 0-of-4 from 3. He did continue to flash his potential to impact winning basketball with 10 rebounds (three offensive), two blocks and two steals.
• Suns rookie Koa Peat got the scoring underway with an alley-oop to Maluach, finishing with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting, six rebounds (two offensive), four assists and three turnovers in 28 minutes. He did not attempt a 3-pointer, as Peat was stingy from deep when an Arizona Wildcat. His shot, however, was effective and he displayed pro-level body control on a moving jumper late in the exhibition.
• Koby Brea, a 2025 second-rounder who recently signed another two-way contract with Phoenix, struggled to five points on 1-of-7 shooting and 0-of-4 from 3. He added two assists and two rebounds in 25 minutes.

The Suns play the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday at noon MST, and you can watch the action on ESPN2.

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