In their last game in the NBA Summer League, Phoenix Suns’ rookie Ryan Dunn was unable to take part due to discomfort in his left knee. This match, played against the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas, saw the Suns fall short, finishing the game behind with a score of 87-77. Thus, they concluded their summer league stint with more losses than wins, tallying a record of two wins against three losses.
Jalen Bridges stepped in as a starter for the Suns in place of Dunn and led the team in scoring, managing a respectable 16 points. Complementing Bridge’s effort, Isaiah Wong came off the bench to contribute an additional 15 points. This game marked the end of a tiring set of back-to-back games which tested the physical readiness of the Suns’ players.
Over a five day stretch for the Phoenix Suns, this finalised their fourth game. They had already faced off against Indiana and Oklahoma City on two consecutive days; took a day of rest; battled with Milwaukee and then finished their spree against Sacramento. The team ignited their summer league journey on July 13th, playing against the Golden State.
Dunn, the Suns’ latest addition, measures in at 6-6, weighing 215 pounds, and plays as a forward, though he is originally from Virginia. Over his first four Summer League games, all of which he started, Dunn’s performance was marked by an average of 5.8 points at a shooting rate of 34.4%, along with 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.5 blocks, 1.3 steals, and also 1.5 turnovers.
His shooting ability, particularly from behind the three-point line, is an area where Dunn needs to invest some effort. Summer League statistics reveal his struggle with long-distance shooting, making just one successful attempt out of thirteen attempts. Reflecting on his prior performance in the previous season with Virginia, his three-point shooting appears to be consistently challenging, with only seven successful shots from 35 attempts.
However, when it comes to defense, Dunn has displayed an impressive skill set. His defensive capabilities earned him noteworthy praises from ESPN’s college basketball analyst, Jay Bilas. Drawing on how Dunn performed in the Summer League games, Bilas had no reservations in considering Dunn as the ‘best overall defender’ in the 2024 draft class.
Dunn’s defensive game is versatile. He can block shots and defend against big players in the paint, demonstrating agility and coordination in moving his feet whilst defending against perimeter players. His aggressive defensive game plan is a key element of his playing style.
Interestingly, the Suns acquired Dunn not by direct picking but via a trade down. Originally, he was selected as the 28th pick overall by Denver in the draft. Nevertheless, the Suns’ decision to pull him into the fold has been applauded by many, including team owner Mat Ishbia.
While sharing his thoughts during an NBA TV interview at the time of Wednesday’s game which ended in a narrowly won 100-99 victory for the Suns over the Thunder, team owner Ishbia couldn’t contain his excitement about Dunn. He expressed how the team was deeply impressed with Dunn’s work ethic, defensive skills, and raw athleticism.
According to Ishbia, Dunn possesses traits that align well with the Phoenix Suns’ team spirit. The Suns are on a lookout for young, energetic players, capable of transmuting their positive energy into stellar defensive plays. They found these qualities in Dunn, who, even in the Summer League, has proven his worth by meeting their expectations.
In Ishbia’s view, Dunn’s lanky yet athletic figure benefits the team, especially when his performance during the Summer League is taken into account. The experience of having him in the team has been pleasing, and the team is keen to see his on-court contributions once the main season gets underway.
Overall, while Ryan Dunn’s Summer League performance had its ups and downs, his defensive ability and the raw athletic potential he brings to the Phoenix Suns have already earned him high praise and expectations. The Suns’ management is looking forward to seeing how Dunn will harness these tools during the actual NBA season.