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Khalif Battle has Mixed Results in NBA Summer League Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Blayne Gilmer | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 6:53 PM ET

Former Gonzaga guard Khalif Battle had an up-and-down performance in his debut start for the Phoenix Suns during NBA Summer League action, illustrating both promising moments and areas requiring growth as the Suns lost decisively to the Atlanta Hawks.

Battle, who gained recognition at Gonzaga for his scoring ability and assertive style, finished with 7 points. Most of his scoring came from the free-throw line, where he converted 5 of 6 attempts. Despite struggling to find his shooting touch from the field, Battle showed resilience and aggression, consistently drawing contact and earning trips to the foul line. Nonetheless, his overall effectiveness was somewhat diminished by a -7 plus/minus rating, indicating the team faced challenges during his time on the court.

Khalif Battle warming up for the second half. Former Zag guard started for Phoenix today and scored 5 pts. in the first half. pic.twitter.com/DLhVuv2Kjo
— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) July 13, 2025

The Hawks took control early in the matchup, preventing the Suns from establishing any momentum. Battle's inconsistent play mirrored the team's broader issues, but the Phoenix coaching staff clearly expressed interest by allocating him extended minutes to evaluate his potential thoroughly.

These increased minutes suggest the Suns see value in Battle’s ongoing development and are seriously considering how he might fit within their future plans. The Summer League remains a crucial evaluation period, providing players like Battle the opportunity to impress not only their current organizations but also scouts from other NBA teams.

Despite modest statistical contributions, Battle’s ability to draw fouls and capitalize at the free-throw line remains noteworthy and valuable at the professional level. The Suns' decision to grant Battle a starting role underscores their intent to provide him ample opportunities during this critical assessment stage.

With more games ahead in the Summer League, Battle has additional chances to cement his position with the Suns or showcase his talents to other interested NBA franchises. Although his NBA future is still uncertain, Battle's offensive aggressiveness and determination will undoubtedly keep league evaluators attentive as the Summer League continues.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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