Oso Ighodaro started at center in the Phoenix Suns’ 105-103 loss Thursday to the Chicago Bulls (26-37) and was clearly favored for his on-court presence over rookie Khaman Maluach.
The second-year pro out of Marquette more than doubled the No. 10 pick’s minutes in the opening half (17 to seven) and showed his comfortability by comparison in every facet, with only one turnover to Maluach’s four in the game, as one example.
Thursday was the first matchup with Ighodaro and Maluach really getting true run at the five position after the team announced Mark Williams will be re-evaluated for a left foot stress reaction in two to three weeks.
With the Suns (35-27) shooting below 40%, how each player could operate in the rotation was even more under the scope.
Ighodaro posted a +4 plus/minus in 36 minutes with 10 points and nine rebounds, and an accompanying four assists, steal and block. Maluach made his lone shot attempt and missed two free-throw attempts in his 12 minutes off the bench. The team was a -5 with him on the floor.
The Bulls outscored the Suns 68-44 in the paint, a -24 eyesore for head coach Jordan Ott without being able to include Williams in the big man rotation.
The loss comes as one of the worst for Phoenix this season, as Chicago entered as losers of 12 of its last 13.
Devin Booker, in his second game after returning from a right hip strain, led Phoenix with 27 points on 9-of-21 shooting (7 for 7 on free throws) and added six rebounds, two assists and two steals. He joined Ighodaro as the only starters in the positive plus/minus column.
Collin Gillespie had an off night from beyond the 3-point arc (1 for 5) and Grayson Allen, despite making five 3s, was an inefficient 5 for 16 from deep as the Suns were 13 for 46 as a team.