Malik Dia put up 18 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Pelicans.
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Pelicans 81, 
Suns 75: Box Score | Game Detail
LAS VEGAS – Malik Dia scored a game-high-tying 18 points to power the New Orleans Pelicans to a 81-75 victory over the Phoenix Suns at the Las Vegas Summer League on Sunday.
Dia, who went undrafted in the 2026 NBA Draft, did a little bit of everything for the Pelicans. In 23 minutes off the bench, he compiled eight rebounds, two steals and two blocks with only two turnovers.
New Orleans (2-1) held a 16-12 edge after the first quarter, and a 25-19 scoring advantage in the second gave them a 41-31 lead at halftime.
The Suns managed to rally back and actually won the second half, 44-40, but the Pelicans played under control down the stretch and hit important free throws.
The Suns started the game 0-for-13 from 3-point territory, and they finished 6-for-30 (20%) in the loss.
The Pelicans knocked down 11 of their 34 attempts from behind the arc (32.4%) while winning the paint battle (40-26) and fast break points (15-8).
Jaron Pierre Jr. supplied 16 points and three rebounds for New Orleans, and Kobe Bufkin added 15 points, four boards, two dimes and two steals, including a 4-for-4 clip at the charity stripe. Markquis Nowell filled the stat sheet with eight points, three rebounds, three dimes and four steals against one turnover.
Darius Brown II went toe-to-toe with Dia to lead four Suns in double figures, dropping 18 points (7-for-12 FG), five rebounds and four assists. Khaman Maluach, pick No. 10 in 2025, recorded a massive double-double with 15 points, 15 boards and two blocks, earning a +10 plus-minus in a contest where his team never led.
Koa Peat (No. 30 in 2026) impressed with 12 points, four boards, one assist and two steals, and Rasheer Fleming (No. 31 in 2025) amassed 11 points, four rebounds, two assists, one steal and two blocks.
Phoenix (1-1) takes on the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, while New Orleans (2-1) resumes play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
