Dunn of the Suns gets the win over the Mavericks

It's a big deal as a rookie to be unexpectedly invited to start a home opener.

Taking on the job of guarding Luka Dončić in this starting area is a daunting task, but Ryan Dunn wasn't fazed by it.

The Phoenix Suns rookie said he was given the nod to replace Bradley Beal (right elbow sore) in the starting lineup 20 to 30 minutes before his game against Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday at the Footprint Center. In the Suns' 114-102 win, Dunn scored 13 points and shot an outstanding 5 of 8, including three 3s, the Suns' second-most goals behind Kevin Durant's four (team-high 31 points).

“I was just trying to fulfill my role and not try to do anything crazy,” Dunn said after the game.

Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said Dunn's defense and athleticism were positives in the win.

Devin Booker (21 points, five assists) described the defending Western Conference champion Mavericks as a “crazy lineup” led by Dončić, Kyrie Irving and their new teammate, four-time champion Klay Thompson.

“We all try to give him our opinion, but experience is the best teacher,” Booker said of Dunn. “He absorbs things, he wants to learn and he pays attention.” He usually doesn't make the same mistake twice. This is a mature newcomer.”

Since the preseason, Dunn has coached Dončić on Saturday and LeBron James twice, in the Suns' first preseason win against the Los Angeles Lakers and in their regular-season loss to them on Friday. He also coached James Harden in Phoenix's season-opening win at the LA Clippers on Wednesday.

Dunn said he watched film on Dončić and Irving and asked the Suns' veterans how they could guard them and take advantage of his 6-7 length, especially against Dončić, who is adept at drawing fouls on his penetrations and outside shots.

Dunn knew he had to be aggressive to some degree in defending against last season's leading scorer, who led Dallas to the 2024 Western Conference title. Dončić scored a game-high 40 points, 10 rebounds and hit 11 of 12 from the free throw line against Phoenix.

Dunn committed five fouls, which he attributed to a rookie guarding the superstar.

“I think a few of them were Luka Dončić. I think some of them were rookie decisions, but he's a great player. “I give him a lot of respect,” Dunn said. “I'm watching film right now to see what I can do as a freshman just to stop him and not get those five fouls, those misers.”

Durant praised Dunn's aggressive effort against Dončić.

“I just love his attitude. I love that he is physical. “I like that he actually draws fouls,” Durant said. “I would rather you be physical, have air on the side of physicality and rein yourself in from there, rather than playing soft and trying to move up to physicality.”

Durant also praised Dunn's offensive acumen, which “got us going” to extend the Suns' lead to double digits down the stretch.

Durant explained that when the Suns were up by six in the fourth, Dunn's “big play” with a ghostly backscreen for Durant then turned away to confuse defenders as to whether to turn it on. With 7:38 minutes remaining, Dunn knocked down his three-pointer after a kick-out pass from Jusuf Nurkić.

Suns vs. Mavericks coverage: What we learned from the Phoenix Suns' home win against Luka Doncic, Mavericks

Dunn's biggest highlight came early in the second quarter during the Suns' 16-6 run that extended their lead to 12. Dunn completed an emphatic one-handed putback dunk after one of Durant's eight missed threes.

“That felt good. “I felt like I hadn't dunked in a while, so it was just cool to bust one out and let out a little scream just to get the crowd going,” Dunn said.

Dunn's three made treys against the Mavericks and his three makes on triples on Friday add to what many NBA media are calling the 3-and-D players and steals of this year's draft.

The Suns traded him from Denver on draft night for the 22nd overall pick, DaRon Holmes II. Dunn was scouted primarily because of his defense as a winger in recently resigned Virginia coach Tony Bennett's system. Before Dunn entered the league as a sophomore, he shot a total of 12 of 51 on three-pointers, including 7 of 35 last year. With the Suns, Dunn has confidently let loose and shot 19 of 43 balls from defense since the preseason.

Lakers coach JJ Redick joked before their 128-122 preseason win at the Suns on Oct. 17, “If I had known Ryan Dunn had a 45 percent (3-point) weapon, our draft board would have one.” looked a little different.” “

Dunn has been compared to former Suns forward Mikal Bridges, who was drafted by Phoenix and quickly brought in a combination of defense and scoring before moving to Brooklyn as part of the deal that brought Durant to Phoenix. He's with the Knicks now.

Dunn said during training camp that he welcomed this identity to start his career. Booker knows all about comparisons and expectations for newcomers.

“I think any young player that comes into the league and can shoot and defend will try to win this title,” Booker said. “Of course with Mikal you saw that his game can develop further, but that's a good thing.” To get into the league you have to play at a basic level and that is your responsibility. I feel like I had the same thing as a rookie.”

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