The Phoenix Suns may have one more Summer League game left on the schedule, but Khaman Maluach, Rasheer Fleming and Koa Peat looked like they’d already done enough in last night’s 100-88 win over the Detroit Pistons.
Maluach kept rolling with his fourth straight double-double, finishing with 23 points and 15 rebounds. Fleming shook off his early shooting issues and poured in 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting with eight rebounds. Peat stayed steady as ever, adding 19 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.
After the game, Suns guard Collin Gillespie summed up the mood on X with: "Dawgs are hooping!"
Phoenix is still listed for one more Summer League game, though the opponent and time have not been announced. The Suns also have a slim path to the semifinals, depending on point differential, after opening 3-1.
If they don’t sneak into the semifinals, there’s not much reason to keep running Maluach, Fleming or Peat out there after the way all three have handled the first four games.
Maluach has been the most physically imposing player on the floor throughout the event, and his impact has gone well beyond the paint. He’s hit 8 of 20 from 3, shown real touch around the rim and used his 7-foot-2 frame to change shots on the defensive end.
“It’s the confidence and you’ve always seen it with his touch," Suns summer league coach Chaisson Allen said of Maluach's shot (via ClutchPoints' Hayden Ciley). "He’s got great touch around the rim.
Came out to shoot it. We had him shooting last year in Summer League, and he’s had a whole year developing that tool with us.
Now, he’s got the opportunity to show it on this stage.”
Fleming’s jumper has started to come around too. Over the last two games, he’s gone 7-for-11 from deep, good for 63.6%.
“I was feeling my shot today," Fleming said after the win over Detroit (via Ciley). "I don’t know what it was the past couple of games.
I couldn’t find it as early on, but I feel like I was a little more decisive early on. Matter of fact, the start I feel like even on defense.
For me, I feel like when I’m going on defense, everything else flows.”
Beyond the scoring, the Suns got a glimpse of what this group could look like on the defensive side as well. Fleming and Peat showed they can hold up on the ball, while Maluach’s rim protection gives the trio a real edge.
It was a lot to like from Phoenix’s top young talent in Vegas. And if this was the last Summer League run for the group, it was a strong one heading toward the 2026-27 season.
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