​The Phoenix Suns’ Summer League squad moved to 1-1 in Las Vegas on Sunday afternoon after a close 81-75 defeat to the New Orleans Pelicans. They had shown resilience on Friday by rallying to beat the Portland Trail Blazers, but they couldn’t quite close the gap on Sunday. Even in the loss, there were several notable takeaways, including encouraging developments from two standout members of the young core.
Suns frontcourt Impresses
The pairing of Koa Peat and Khaman Maluach has been the most consistent bright spot for Phoenix through the first two games. Maluach has demonstrated a strong mix of ball-handling, solid rim protection, and a shooting touch that has clearly improved over the past year. In Sunday’s action, the Duke product posted 15 points, 15 rebounds, and two blocks, while also protecting the ball with zero turnovers—a significant step forward for him.
Peat has delivered moments of both brilliance and frustration in his early pro outings, yet the positives reinforce why the Suns invested in him to begin with. The former Arizona Wildcat has shown he can outmuscle many peers, attacks the rim with confidence, and finish at a respectable rate. Beyond the finishing, Peat has flashed playmaking ability and maintained a relentless motor on the defensive end, underscoring why Phoenix trusted him to join the roster.
Koby Brea’s Struggles: Cause for Concern?
Brea has endured two rough performances as he re-joins the Suns on a two-way contract. The Kentucky product managed just two points on 1-for-10 shooting (0-for-6 from three) in the Sunday game, raising questions about whether his game is translating to the professional level as quickly as anticipated. It’s premature to abandon hope for Brea, but the recent stretch is difficult to overlook. The Phoenix coaching staff will likely look for ways to help him rediscover his shooting rhythm and harness his skill set.
Guard Potentially Earning a Spot on the Team
Darius Brown II arrived in Las Vegas with experience in only one NBA game for the Cleveland Cavaliers. The guard, who was the Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, has continued to elevate his play on defense for Phoenix in recent days. More surprisingly, he has also emerged as a credible scoring option. Brown totaled 18 points on Sunday and connected on three three-pointers that sparked the Suns’ offense. While the challenge remains for him to secure a roster spot, Brown is making a strong case for consideration as one of the two-way contract slots the team may allocate.
Looking Ahead
The Suns are scheduled to face the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday night in the third game of five in Las Vegas. As they continue to evaluate options and develop their projected core, these games will offer additional opportunities for players to showcase growth, chemistry development, and the depth that could fuel a deeper rotation once the regular season arrives.