PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns rookie Khaman Maluach made his first career NBA start against the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday, but his start wasn’t the only thing that had his name trending online.
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
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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
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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. The Suns eventually did so with a 112-107 win over Dallas, securing home-court advantage to start the tournament.
Apr 8, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Khris Middleton (20) passes the ball against Phoenix Suns center Khaman Maluach in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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Maluach’s first start and defining moment during crunch time have fans in the Valley optimistic about his future with the organization — and that he can develop into a core piece for the Suns for years to come.
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde