PHOENIX — Luke Kennard scored 20 points, Jalen Green added 18, and rookie center Khaman Maluach held his own against Victor Wembanyama in a 10-point, 15-rebound double-double as the Suns beat the Spurs 102-98 in their preseason home opener Saturday night at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Maluach started at center in place of Oso Ighodaro and spent stretches matched up one-on-one with Wembanyama, more than holding his own in 23 minutes.
“Tonight I thought overall was his best performance,” head coach Jordan Ott said of Maluach at his postgame press conference.
It was the latest step in a summer leap that Devin Booker had already flagged: “I’d say he’s taken the biggest leap out of anybody that I’ve seen this summer,” Booker said at Suns Media Day.
Phoenix played without Booker, who rested, and Miles Bridges, who missed the game with a right ankle injury. Dillon Brooks added 15 points, and Ryan Dunn started in the mix-and-match lineup.
Dylan Harper led San Antonio with 15 points. Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle each scored 13, and Julian Champagnie added 10 for the Spurs, who were without De’Aaron Fox (hip) and Tobias Harris (calf).
STATS — Suns 102, Spurs 98
Score by quarters — Spurs 26, 24, 26, 22 — 98; Suns 28, 27, 24, 23 — 102.
Suns: Luke Kennard 20 pts, 5 reb, 4 ast; Jalen Green 18 pts, 5 ast; Dillon Brooks 15 pts; Khaman Maluach 10 pts, 15 reb, 3 ast (double-double).
Spurs: Dylan Harper 15 pts; Victor Wembanyama 13 pts; Stephon Castle 13 pts; Julian Champagnie 10 pts.
Stats via Sportradar.
Quotes via Arizona Sports and azcentral.
Article provided by Sports Tracker
© Old Town News Scottsdale — oldtownnews.us
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