Around the Beat: Checking the Suns' Press Corps After Utah

By the Suns Nightly Desk · Saturday, October 17

Phoenix's beat writers spent the day picking apart the 119-116 loss to Utah, from Jamaree Bouyea's workload to Khaman Maluach's growth. Several of their story lines hold up against the numbers; one does not.

Suns Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

Bouyea carries the load. Valley of the Suns reported that Phoenix is building a blind spot by running so much offense through Jamaree Bouyea. He scored 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting in just 14 minutes against the Jazz, but Phoenix was outscored by nine points with him on the floor, the second-worst mark on the roster that night.

Starters answer the bell. Bright Side of the Sun called the starters' showing a positive sign in its recap of the 119-116 loss. Devin Booker, Jalen Green and Dillon Brooks combined for 52 points, with Green hitting 3 of 5 from three and Brooks going 4-for-4 at the line, backing up the read before the group ceded the final minutes to the bench.

Maluach's growth spurt. Arizona Sports relayed ESPN's Ben Golliver naming Khaman Maluach the Suns' biggest preseason revelation. The rookie center backed that up against Utah, posting a plus-7 in 24 minutes, the best plus-minus mark on the Phoenix roster in a game the Suns let slip after leading by 13.

Dunn and Fleming's mixed reviews. Valley of the Suns wrote that Ryan Dunn is playing his way into one more chance with the roster, and Bright Side of the Sun praised Rasheer Fleming's tools while flagging his decision-making. Both finished the Jazz game in the red, Dunn at minus-10 in 17 minutes and Fleming at minus-8 in 12, the roster's two worst marks.

Ott's survey nod, debated. Arizona Sports noted that Jordan Ott drew recognition in the NBA's annual general manager survey, while Bright Side of the Sun asked whether that same survey undersold Phoenix. Nothing on the schedule yet settles it; Ott's actual record starts October 21 at Portland.

Kennard's wait continues. Arizona Sports' Douglas Santo reported before the game that Luke Kennard would sit out the finale against Utah. That has not changed: Kennard remains without a firm return date for a knee issue, with the regular-season opener at Portland five days off.

On deck Phoenix opens the regular season October 21 at Portland, then hosts Golden State on October 24 before road games at Oklahoma City on October 26 and the Emirates NBA Cup opener against Denver on October 30.

When do the Suns play their season opener?

Phoenix opens the regular season on October 21 at Portland, five days after closing the preseason against Utah.

Will Luke Kennard be ready for opening night?

Kennard has no confirmed return date for his knee issue as of October 17, with the opener five days away.