Oso

Ighodaro

Maluach has recorded a double-double in each of Phoenix’s first three games in Las Vegas, with Monday’s being the best of the bunch. Not only did he shoot 50 percent from the field and grab 10 rebounds, but the second-year center also blocked four shots. With the Suns re-signing Mark Williams, one would assume that he’ll be the starter. However, Maluach may be given every opportunity to compete with Oso Ighodaro for the backup role, especially when considering how well he’s played this week. A must-roster player in dynasty leagues, Maluach would have increased value as a backup in redraft leagues given Williams’ injury history.

The 40th overall pick in the 2024 draft, Ighodaro appeared in all 82 games this season, starting 24. The 7-footer’s role expanded when a foot injury sidelined Mark Williams, and that could remain the case in 2026-27 if the Suns were to move on from the former Hornet. However, one would assume that Phoenix would look to upgrade the position if that were the case, and 2025 lottery pick Khaman Maluach would also be in the mix for more playing time. Ighodaro averaged 6.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game this season. That production was not enough to make him much more than a deep-league streamer on nights when Williams was out.

Williams will remain sidelined for what could be the Suns’ final game of the season, as they go into Game 4 in a 0-3 hole. Oso Ighodaro has been the replacement in the starting lineup, and that should remain the case on Monday.

Williams still hasn’t played since the first Play-In game. With the 24-year-old center sidelined in Game 2, Oso Ighodaro started and had seven points and eight rebounds in 29 minutes. Ighodaro will likely remain in the starting lineup as long as Williams is out.

Williams missed Sunday’s Game 1 loss to the Thunder with a sore left foot. Oso Ighodaro and Khaman Maluach combined for zero points in 41 minutes in Williams’ absence. The 24-year-old center remains questionable for Game 2. Ighodaro will likely start again if Williams is ruled out.

Williams will miss a second consecutive game as he continues to deal with a sore left foot. Oso Ighodaro started Friday’s Play-In victory over the Warriors, logging 26 minutes. He’ll take on a similar role for Game 1, while Khaman Maluach may play more than the five minutes that he did the last time out because of Oklahoma City’s interior depth.

After logging 22 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, Williams was held out of Friday’s win over the Warriors. Oso Ighodaro played 26 minutes as the starting center, with the Suns going small for extended periods. Given the matchup, there may be more minutes available to Khaman Maluach if Williams remains out.

With Mark Williams out due to a foot injury, Ighodaro will get the start. The second-year big man averaged 6.5 points and 5.1 rebounds per game during the regular season and could play an important role in helping the Suns extend their season and earn a playoff matchup against the Thunder.

Williams, who sat out the Suns’ last regular-season game, logged 22 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers. Oso Ighodaro was his replacement in the starting lineup on most nights during the regular season, and that should remain the case on Friday if Williams can’t play.

Ighodaro has reached double figures in rebounds twice in his last six appearances. The second-year center played 21 minutes off the bench on Friday, finishing two points shy of a double-double. With the Suns knowing their seeding for the Play-In Tournament, Sunday’s game against the Thunder may be one where young reserves like Ighodaro play more minutes than usual.