Game Preview: Suns face the Pelicans in second NBA Summer League matchup

Who: Phoenix Suns (1-0) vs. New Orleans Pelicans (1-1)

When: 12:00 pm Arizona Time

Where: Cox Pavilion, Las Vegas, Nevada

Watch: Arizona Family Sports, ESPN2

Listen: KMVP 98.7

The Phoenix Suns showcased their elite level of size and athleticism (for Summer League) against the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night in a dramatic come-from-behind victory. There was the predictable summer league slop in the first half with both teams struggling to get any type of rhythm on offense, but the second half looked a little more like NBA-style basketball. The three young franchise building blocks all performed well, which should be exciting for Suns fans, because Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming, and Koa Peat need to develop for the long-term health of the organization.

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Maluach, Fleming, and Peat also showed their flaws. Maluach committed seven turnovers, Fleming was 0-for-4 from 3 and passed up multiple wide-open looks, and Peat didn’t take a 3-point shot, along with his shot mechanics looking questionable at best. This trio is extremely talented, but also flawed, and summer league is the perfect place to improve upon these flaws.

What was most exciting about watching this trio was how well they played defensively and how dominant the interior defense was. The second-half defense was the catalyst for the Suns coming back from down 16 and ultimately leading by as many as 10 points in the second half. All three players blocked shots, forced turnovers, and ultimately suffocated the Trail Blazers offense. How this trio improves on offense collectively is the biggest storyline to watch for the rest of summer league.

Probable Starters

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Injury Report

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What to Watch For

The Suns will not face any high-level prospects from the Pelicans, as both Jeremiah Fears and Derek Queen are not playing in summer league. Instead, it will be against a group of college All-Stars with Hunter Dickinson, Markquis Nowell, and Micah Peavy leading the way, along with Kobe Bufkin, a former first-round pick. The Suns have a size and athleticism advantage and should dominate the glass and the paint against the…

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Publish date : 2026-07-12 12:00:00

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