LAS VEGAS — The Phoenix Suns were without last year’s standout Ryan Dunn and top-10 draft pick Khaman Maluach in Sunday’s NBA Summer League matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, leaving the door open for a new face to step up.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Second-year big man Oso Ighodaro answered.
Mar 14, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) reacts with center Oso Ighodaro (4) during the second half against the Sacramento Kings at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Fueled by a massive third quarter, Ighodaro stuffed the stat sheet like a Thanksgiving Turkey. The seven-footer ended with 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Ighodaro showed maturity in his offensive game with his playmaking and ability to generate points off the dribble.
The 22-year-old brought the deficet to single digits, but turnovers and lackluster shot making from his teammates led to the Suns first loss in Summer League, 98-80 t0 Hawks.
Second-round pick Koby Brea had a smooth and efficient 15 points and six rebounds, before ruining his shooting percentage to try and drag Phoenix back into the game late. The Suns shot 34.8% from the 3-point line and slightly above 40% on the game, as they couldn’t generate much points.
May 14, 2025; Chicago, Il, USA; Asa Newell talks to the media during the 2025 NBA Draft Combine at Marriott Marquis Chicago. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
Hawks first-round pick Asa Newell had a quiet double double, 15 points and 10 rebounds, and dominated the game in the second half. While Brother of Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin, Jacob, dominated early with 15 points and eight rebounds. Atlanta had five players in double figures in the win over Phoenix.
1st Quarter:
The Hawks determined the pace early. After a slow start, Atlanta were attacking the Maluach-less Suns team in the paint. Phoenix soon had to over-help at the rim to slow down the rim running of Atlanta. However, the perimeter was left all alone of Jacob Toppin to have a hot start and fuel a 10-0 Hawks run. Toppin had nine first-quarter points and was two-for-two from the 3-point line, as his team started five-for-eight from beyond the arc in the first quarter.
Apr 13, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Jacob Toppin (00) on the court during the game against the Orlando Magic during the second half at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Suns without Dunn and Maluach couldn’t generate anything offensively. Phoenix tried to get some movement by running its pick-and-roll game, but Atlanta was switching everything at the perimeter and the ballhandlers couldn’t get their defenders.
Last game’s hero Koby Brea only got one shot attempt in the first quarter and the Suns’ offense struggled to generate, shooting 36.8% from the field and ending the quarter down 30-17.
2nd Quarter:
Phoenix started the 2nd quarter with four turnovers in the first two minutes and had 10 overall in the game. The team struggled with ball control in their Summer League opener against the Wizards, and head coach DeMarre Carroll answered that with putting the ball in Yuri Collins’ hands and did it the same on Sunday. The 24-year-old started to chip away the deficit by feeding Brea and finding Oso Ighodaro in the post to bring the score within six points.
Jul 5, 2023; Sacramento, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Yuri Collins (41) dribbles against the Charlotte Hornets during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports
Brea and Ighodaro were leading the charge. The second-year Suns center was working in the post and overwhelming his defender to score six second quarter points. Brea went to the Devin Booker school of making tough, contested shots. He scored six points in the second and all were in the face of a Hawks defender. The fifth-year collegiate player showing his elite scoring experience in Summer League.
However, turnovers would allow Atlanta to expand the lead back to double digits. Ighodaro had four turnovers and many led to fastbreak points for the Hawks. Kobe Bufkin scored all his six first-half points in the second quarter, as Toppin continued his dominance at the rim, finishing with 11 points and seven rebounds. Atlanta exploded the lead to 12 points at halftime, leading 48-36.
3rd Quarter:
Atlanta carried the momentum from the end of the first half to continue on its 16-5 run. The Hawks were punishing the Suns interior defense, scoring 22 paint points. Without Maluach, Ighodaro wasn’t enough to stop a fast-pace Atlanta team led by the playmaking of Bufkin, who had seven assists.
Nov 27, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Atlanta Hawks guard Kobe Bufkin (4) shoots in the first quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
The Suns were overwhelmed defensively and outmatched offensively, missing nine straight field goals to start the third quarter. Phoenix needed the usual suspects of Brea and Ighodaro to save the team, and, once again, they did by single-handily starting an 17-3 run. The duo scored 11 straight Suns points and brought the deficit from 20 to single digits.
Ighodaro had a quarter to remember, filling the stat sheet with two steals and two blocks, notably a block on Bufkin that kept Phoenix’s massive run alive. While the 22-year-old was living in the paint and dunking spot to score, his ball control was on full display in the third quarter. The seven-footer was on the top of the key when he drove past his man for the contested lay to bring his game total to 15 points and the deficit to 72-66 at the end of the frame.
Dec 3, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Oso Ighodaro (4) against the San Antonio Spurs during an NBA Cup game at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
4th Quarter:
While Ighodaro and Brea was on the bench, the shooting of Moses Wood and Alex Schumacher kept the team afloat. The pair went four-for-six from the 3-point line and brought Phoenix from the game to 43.8% from beyond the arc. Even after Ighoadaro returned to the lineup, Wood and Schumacher were running the offense, shooting seven of the team’s first eight shots. The duo slowed down and that is when the Hawks started to create separation.
Mar 20, 2025; Wichita, KS, USA; Georgia Bulldogs forward Asa Newell (14) and Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Ryan Nembhard (0) fight for a rebound in the first half of a first round men’s NCAA Tournament game at Intrust Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Atlanta continued its by-committee offense with multiple players finding the bottom of the net. Newell put an exclamation point on his double-double with his hot shooting night continuing, going four-for-five from the perimeter. The Belgium guard, Nikola Durisic, overwhelmed defenders with his 6’8 frame to get to the basket with ease. Durisic finished with 16 points and help explode the lead back to 20 points.
Brea and Ighodaro couldn’t salvage the game and would go on to lose 98-80. The Suns get a chance at redemption tomorrow against the Sacramento Kings at 7pm on ESPNU and ESPN+.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
