Game Day - Summer League Edition: Suns (1-2) @ Timberwolves (3-0), Wed 7/16/25

[Superbone]

Time: 2:00 pm AZ (2:00 pm PT/5:00 pm ET)
Place: Pavilion, Las Vegas, NV
TV: NBA TV, AZ Family 3TV

This is the Suns penultimate Summer League game. It will be interesting to see who plays or doesn't play. Hopefully, Fleming gets another shot. Tough to win without good guard play. The Summer Timberwolves haven't lost a game.

Go Suns!!!

Dis • cuss

[TOO]

This Bailey dude on Minnesota has a Josh Okogie 5head.

[SunsShine]

According to these commentators, we’re hoping Green can become the Robin to Bradley Beal’s Batman.

[TOO]

According to these commentators, we’re hoping Green can become the Robin to Bradley Beal’s Batman.

Still better than Doris Burke.

[TOO]

Can Yuri Collins just stay in the bench forever? Please.

[carey]

I'm real bummed about Maluach's play this summer so far. Looks like he''s not in shape enough for pro basketball.

[carey]

Suns cough up a 14 point lead and catch an L.

[3TheHardaway]

I liked what I saw from Malachi to start. Looked much more confident with the ball in his hands, much more focused defensively, switching and protecting the rim, not looking so lost as he did in the first few.

I think he’s got plenty of tools. He’s raw. Let’s hope Mark can stay in the court and allow Khamen to develop a bit. I’m excited to see the process .

[TOO]

I'm real bummed about Maluach's play this summer so far. Looks like he''s not in shape enough for pro basketball.

He played 25min which was what most of the starters were around.

[Superbone]

As no surprise to anyone, Suns led wire to wire until 1:23 remaining only to lose. If you need to know only one reason, they shot 13-28 from the free throw line. Yeah, you read that right.

[pickle]

I liked what I saw from Malachi to start. Looked much more confident with the ball in his hands, much more focused defensively, switching and protecting the rim, not looking so lost as he did in the first few.

I think he’s got plenty of tools. He’s raw. Let’s hope Mark can stay in the court and allow Khamen to develop a bit. I’m excited to see the process .

I thought we picked up Malachi Flynn there for a moment.

[Carno]

I thought Maluach looked much better this game than the previous ones. He moved better, shot better, and seemed to anticipate better on defense. He has a lot of work to do, but I can squint and see a productive future for him. The guard play was once again atrocious, even worse than typical summer league fare. We won't know how productive Maluach can be this season until he plays with real NBA guards. Summer league is notoriously bad for showing off rim-running defensive bigs.

Fleming looked much more comfortable this game. His 3P shot looks legit. He was active on defense with good movement on the perimeter and help side rim protection.

Oso and Dunn once again looked like men amongst boys. For those that keep saying Oso belongs in the G-league, just stop. He had a 3-game G-league stint last season and averaged 16 pts and 13 rebounds in 26 mins. He is too good for the G-league. He's been explosive driving to the rim in summer league; I hope that continues in regular NBA play.

The suns looked like the better team most of the game, but once the game tightened up in the fourth quarter, the abysmal guard play infected the rest of the team. Sure, they shot poorly from the FT line, but it was their lack of execution and shot making at the end that cost them the game. Without a true scorer (Dunn tried, but that's not really his game) or playmaking guards, they were not able to get the ball to the right player at the right spot at the right time.

I looked forward to the last game to see how Maluach and Fleming improve. I expect Dunn to sit (and maybe Oso), so I don't expect a win.

[pickle]

I’m not trying to be contrarian or depressing, but are we sure we have the guards on the roster that can help Malauch maximize his talents during the regular season right now?

[Split T]

I’m not trying to be contrarian or depressing, but are we sure we have the guards on the roster that can help Malauch maximize his talents during the regular season right now?

Probably not…Booker will help, but he’s always been better with playmaking or stretch bigs. He really needs to work on hitting the roll man this year and lobs. Maybe Gillespie, but I’m not expecting much there. We definitely could use someone who can make things simple for Maluach offensively.

[Superbone]

@Carno, how did you get that avatar from the future? Nice!

[Superbone]

I’m not trying to be contrarian or depressing, but are we sure we have the guards on the roster that can help Malauch maximize his talents during the regular season right now?

Probably not…Booker will help, but he’s always been better with playmaking or stretch bigs. He really needs to work on hitting the roll man this year and lobs. Maybe Gillespie, but I’m not expecting much there. We definitely could use someone who can make things simple for Maluach offensively.

That guy (Chris Paul) is out there but apparently we're not interested in pairing them.

[Carno]

@Carno, how did you get that avatar from the future? Nice!

Ha! I was wondering if someone would notice. ChatGPT for the win! I fed it a Muluach dunk from Duke and ask it to give him a Valley jersey and insert Ayton in a Laker's uniform. I might have used this other cartoonish image, but I couldn't get it right with the Valley Jersey, only the hated orange one. I like Ayton's facial expression in this one though.

[virtual9mm]

Just wait until Maluach develops his body and mind, he's an 18 year old and he's going to be hearing nonstop analysis from Oso.

Speaking of which...I am liking what I am seeing from him in a pseudo-PG role, point forward.

[JeremyG]

We won't know how productive Maluach can be this season until he plays with real NBA guards.

Too bad we don’t have any of those on the roster.

For having been a point guard, Ishbia sure doesn’t seem to like them very much.

[Carno]

Well, I said "guards" not "point guards" but your point is taken. I'm less against Point Book than most, but I acknowledge he hasn't been good throwing lobs out of the pick and roll. Still, Point Book is miles better than the inept guards we've seen on the summer Suns. Also, I think you are neglected Gillespie, who is a solid playmaking point guard who will likely be the backup.