Oso Ighodaro (hip) will not return Wednesday

No surprise here as Ighodaro was initially listed as doubtful and has since been ruled out for Monday’s game against the Thunder. Khaman Maluach started and had nine points and nine rebounds with Ighodaro out against the Warriors on Saturday. Maluach is likely to start again Monday.

Ighodaro did not play in Saturday’s win over the Warriors, leading to a significant increase in starter Khaman Maluach’s playing time. Expect that to continue if Ighodaro can’t play against the Thunder.

With Oso Ighodaro (oblique) sidelined, Maluach did not have to worry about a timeshare at center. He logged 28 minutes against the Warriors, recording a complete stat line and finishing one point and one rebound shy of a double-double. If the Suns had a good schedule, Ighodaro’s injury would make Maluach a more popular fantasy player. However, they have another two-game week in Week 2, so adding Maluach in 12-team leagues offers little upside.

Ighodaro exited early from Wednesday’s game against Portland and was initially listed as doubtful for this one. Duop Reath should fill out the backup center minutes behind Khaman Maluach.

Ighodaro, initially believed to have suffered a hip injury during Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, has been diagnosed with an oblique strain. His absence on Saturday would likely result in Duop Reath playing rotation minutes off the bench, with Khaman Maluach remaining the starting center.

Maluach started Wednesday’s season opener, but the second-year center did not rise to the occasion. He played 17 minutes, and that’s with backup Oso Ighodaro exiting just before halftime with a hip injury. While a popular sleeper pick in fantasy basketball, Wednesday was a reminder that Maluach will need time, especially when considering the lack of playing time as a rookie.

Hours after reports emerged that the Suns would waive Brea, the team made it official. With CJ Huntley also being waived, the Suns have two open two-way contract slots. With Mark Williams injured, one of those contracts will go to Duop Reath, who was in training camp on an Exhibit 10 deal.

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games for the Suns last season, starting 24. In those outings, he averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 22.0 minutes per game. With Mark Williams sidelined due to injury, Ighodaro could begin the season as Phoenix’s starting center, with Khaman Maluach as his competition. Regardless of who wins the job, both will play rotation minutes. The contract gives Ighodaro added security, but that doesn’t change much regarding his fantasy outlook. He’s a late-round option at best.

Khaman Maluach is a good per minute producer while not demanding the ball. While he still can be raw, he’s improved to the point where he should play a role with Oso Ighodaro as the other center. He should be a good flyer in the back end of drafts.

The Suns are replacing Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks with Jamaree Bouyea and Haywood Highsmith from last Saturday’s exhibition. Jordan Goodwin will come off the bench as well.