# Suns Pick Maluach for Opening Night Start

> Phoenix Suns name Khaman Maluach as starting center for opening night game against Portland Trail Blazers.
- Title: Suns Pick Maluach for Opening Night Start · Phoenix Suns On SI
- Summary: Phoenix Suns name Khaman Maluach as starting center for opening night game against Portland Trail Blazers. Phoenix Suns named Khaman Maluach as starting…
- Keywords: phoenix suns, khaman maluach, osso ighodaro, portland trail blazers, jalen green, devin booker, dillon brooks, miles bridges, mark williams, jordan ott, micah nori, damian lillard
- Source: Phoenix Suns On SI — https://si.com/nba/suns/onsi/phoenix-suns-final-starting-center-decision-opening-night-portland-trail-blazers
- Published: 2026-10-22T01:33:59+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: phoenix suns, khaman maluach, osso ighodaro, portland trail blazers, jalen green, devin booker, dillon brooks, miles bridges, mark williams, jordan ott, micah nori, damian lillard
## Suns reveal opening night lineup
Phoenix Suns have finalized their starting center and full starting lineup ahead of opening night matchup against Portland Trail Blazers.
## Maluach gets starting nod over Ighodaro
Khaman Maluach has been named starting center over Oso Ighodaro after preseason competition following Mark Williams' torn labrum injury.
## Maluach to start and stay
Coach Jordan Ott says Maluach will start tonight and likely remain the starting center moving forward.
## Ott's pregame comments
Ott said they need 48 minutes of great center play and have two developing centers who want to play hard.
## Maluach's background
Maluach enters second season after limited play last season but has strong offseason performance.
## Suns' full starting lineup
Phoenix's starting lineup against Portland includes Jalen Green, Devin Booker, Dillon Brooks, Miles Bridges and Khaman Maluach.
## Suns' rotation
With Luke Kennard out due to knee injury, Suns will use nine-man rotation instead of ten.
## Suns' history vs Blazers
Suns have won last four season openers but seek revenge after Blazers beat them in No. 7 vs. No. 8 play-in game.
## Portland's new backcourt
Portland features new coach Micah Nori, Damian Lillard returning from Achilles injury and Ja Morant as new trade acquisition.
## Ott's Portland analysis
Ott noted Portland's fast pace, Damian Lillard's shooting ability and aggressive defense.
## Key matchup for Suns
Suns must slow down Deni Avdija who has been successful against Phoenix in past games.
## Game time
Tonight's game tips off shortly after 7 p.m. MST.
## Key takeaway

Phoenix Suns named Khaman Maluach as starting center for opening night matchup against Portland Trail Blazers after preseason competition.