Suns rookie Khaman Maluach’s first start features crucial moment vs. former Duke teammate

Apr 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (left) defends against Dallas Mavericks guard Max Christie in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Maluach delivered a defining moment in the matchup, soaring for a powerful block against Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg — his former Duke teammate — in a play that ignited fans inside Mortgage Matchup Center and on social media.

The sequence came midway through the fourth quarter, with Phoenix up 96-95. Flagg drove into the lane looking for a scoring opportunity at the rim. Maluach met him there, rejected the shot, then turned to his former teammate and exchanged words as the Suns recovered the loose ball and pushed it the other way to extend their lead.

Apr 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Cooper Flagg (32) attempts to dunk the ball against Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach (10) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The clip quickly spread online, with many Phoenix fans reacting to the moment between two players who once wore the same colors.

Maluach’s reaction — the brief stare and words — showcased the player he is becoming on the national stage, where intensity balanced with control is an early sign of maturity. The block didn’t just create a moment between Maluach and Flagg, but also swung momentum back to Phoenix as it looked to lock in the No. 7 seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament.