Khaman Maluach Shines with Double-Double Against Victor Wembanyama

Khaman Maluach secured 10 points and 15 rebounds during his first preseason start for the Phoenix Suns, logging extended minutes against San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama over the weekend, Basket USA reported. The second-year center, who was selected 10th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, shot 4 of 9 from the field, including 1 of 2 from beyond the arc, while adding 3 assists in a performance that highlighted his ongoing development.

Preseason Opportunity Against Wembanyama

Last season, Maluach made just 46 regular-season appearances, averaging fewer than ten minutes per contest as the franchise opted for a gradual development path. That limited role shifted during the weekend matchup when the South Sudan native stepped into the starting lineup. He is currently competing with Oso Ighodaro for the primary center spot in Phoenix.

Opposing him was Wembanyama, who finished with 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists in 22 minutes of action for the Spurs. Despite the French star’s presence, Maluach anchored the paint and recorded his first major preseason double-double.

“This evening, I think it was overall his best performance,” Suns head coach Jordan Ott said after the game, according to Basket USA.

Paint Defense and Tactical Adjustments

While the Spurs center scored the majority of his points inside, Maluach limited his perimeter effectiveness, holding him to 0 of 5 from 3-point range.

“I thought he played well,” teammate Dillon Brooks said. “He held down the paint, grabbed some rebounds, caught difficult passes, and finished with both hands. So I thought he played well and protected our rim very well.”

Maluach noted that facing elite interior scorers requires strict discipline to avoid foul trouble while contesting shots. “You have to force him to take difficult shots, because he is more dangerous when he attacks the rim than when he shoots,” the 20-year-old center observed.

Accelerated Growth for the Young Center

Reflecting on the matchup, Maluach emphasized the educational value of competing against established NBA talent. He spent the evening tracking Wembanyama’s offensive movements, positioning, and on-court demeanor.

“Against players like him, I try to learn as much as possible, whether by defending them, observing their offensive game, or their attitude,” Maluach said. “I notice those kinds of small details. So I learned a lot on the court.”

With Phoenix scheduled to face San Antonio three times during the upcoming campaign, coaching staff and veterans expect Maluach to shoulder heavier defensive assignments as the regular season approaches. Brooks indicated that the organization has confidence in the young center’s ability to handle those minutes and provide essential frontcourt relief.