LAS VEGAS — The Phoenix Suns beat the Milwaukee Bucks 95-88 on Monday in their third Summer League game to put their record to 2-1 in the Las Vegas games. Khaman Maluach and Koa Peat had strong showings throughout, putting pressure on the rim on both offensive and defense, and Koby Brea had a bounce back game after struggling with his shot in his first two games of summer league. The three combined for 59 points.
After some offensive struggles yesterday against the New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix bounced
back and answered every run that the Bucks, especially down the stretch thanks to Brea’s two big triples late.
Game Flow
First Half
It was an encouraging sign for the Suns to see Rasheer Fleming knock down two threes in the first seven minutes after his struggled in the first few games, but the Suns as a whole were shooting a measly 5/16 from the field to start. Former Arizona guard Brayden Burries was pushing the issue for the Bucks. He had 8 points including two threes.
After 1, the Bucks led 22-19.
After there was some ambiguity regarding his status to play today, Khaman Maluach was asserting his presnce in the first half. Drawing fouls, playing strong on defense and working in the pick-and-roll game, which helped the Suns retake the lead early in the second quarter.
Another encouraging sign for the Suns? Koby Brea knocked down a few triples in the first half. The 2025 second rounder had some struggles in the team’s first two summer league games that had people concerned in the Suns world.
At the half, the Suns led 45-44. Peat and Maluach combined for nearly half of the team’s points thanks to their forceful presence inside.
Second Half
Koa Peat started the second half attacking the rim.
As much as the Suns young prospects continued to shine out, Burries continued to show out for Milwaukee and kept the game close. However, thanks to Maluach’s intensity, Phoenix built a bit of a cushion heading into the fourth to a 69-60 lead.
The Bucks went on a 15-6 run to tie the game in the first four minutes of the fourth. With a little over three minutes left, the Bucks led the Suns 85-84 as the two teams started to battle it out as the crowd got more into the game.
Down 1, Koby Brea hit back-to-back triples that helped the Suns stay ahead for the rest of the contest and secure the victory.
What’s Next
On Wednesday, Phoenix will play their fourth summer league game against another Eastern Conference foe, the Detroit Pistons at 3 pm Phoenix time.
