Phoenix Suns fall to New Orleans Pelicans in NBA Summer League action

Duane Rankin, Arizona RepublicSun, Jul 12, 2026·2 min read

LAS VEGAS — The Phoenix Suns fell to the New Orleans Pelicans, 81-75, at Cox Pavilion on July 12 in their second game of the NBA Summer League.

Darius Brown II paced the Suns (1-1) with 18 points while Khaman Maluach posted his second straight double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds.

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The game was the first of a back-to-back as the Suns face the Milwaukee Bucks on July 13 at Cox Pavilion at 7 p.m.

Phoenix opened Summer League action with an 81-79 comeback victory on July 10 over the Portland Trail Blazers at Cox Pavilion.

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Phoenix Suns, including rookie Koa Peat, gear up for Summer League

Phoenix Suns forward Koa Peat speaks to the media at the Suns 5G Performance Center in Phoenix on July 6, 2026. (Joe Rondone/The Republic)

Phoenix Suns, including rookie Koa Peat, gear up for Summer League

Phoenix Suns, including rookie Koa Peat, gear up for Summer League

Phoenix Suns, including rookie Koa Peat, gear up for Summer League

Phoenix Suns, including rookie Koa Peat, gear up for Summer League

Phoenix Suns, including rookie Koa Peat, gear up for Summer League

Suns down double digits at half

Phoenix has once again started a Summer League game slowly, trailing the Pelicans 41-31 at the break.

Phoenix is shooting 31% from the field and 2-of-15 from 3, while New Orleans went 9-of-20 from 3 and shot 38% from the field overall.

Khaman Maluach leads the Suns with nine points on 3-of-3 shooting (dunks) and eight rebounds. He's coming off a 19 and 11 effort in Friday's win.

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The Suns trailed Portland by 14 points at halftime before rallying to win 81-79.

The Suns are running back the same starting lineup from the July 10 game, with Darius Brown II, Koby Brea, Koa Peat, Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach.

CJ Huntley remains out with a right hamstring injury.

Maluach and Fleming experienced leg cramps in the game against the Portland Trail Blazers, but are set to play on July 12.

The Suns may elect to rest Fleming and Maluach for the game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Second-year players on the standard roster typically play two to three games.

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns fall to New Orleans Pelicans in NBA Summer League action

Story byAZCentral | The Arizona Republic