<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-ryan-dunn-biggest-factor-improved-shooting');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns’ Ryan Dunn reveals biggest factor for improved shooting');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ryan-Dunn-reveals-biggest-factor-for-improved-shooting.jpg"></figure><h1>Suns’ Ryan Dunn reveals biggest factor for improved shooting</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-03-19T20:31:14-07:00">March 19th, 8:31pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-03-19T20:31:14-07:00">March 19th, 8:31pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-2024-nba-draft-grades-every-pick">Phoenix Suns drafted Ryan Dunn</a>, they were drafting a defensive specialist. However, there were looming questions surrounding his three-point shot.</p><p>It had been nonexistent the entirety of his collegiate career. There were even moments where his free throw shooting was a concern. His air-balled some free throws, which people immediately pointed to.</p><p>Much of the problem had nothing to do with shooting mechanics. It was all mental.</p><p>On the Run Your Race Show, Dunn sat down with Theo Pinson and <a href="https://x.com/CGBBURNER/status/1902481705002250432" rel="noopener">pinpointed what happened</a> before the season began.</p><p>“I wasn’t shooting it that well, I think it was kind of more mentally; I wasn’t confident in my shot that much,” Dunn said. “Kept getting a lot more reps. A lot more confidence. I just felt like when I got to Phoenix, we worked on it a lot more.”</p><p>Many people said that his shooting mechanics were not the issue. It was a confidence issue.</p><p>After shooting one for 14 from three in the Summer League, those concerns were on his back the entire summer. However, Dunn knew there was more work to be done.</p><p>The defense was a guarantee, but it was making him a formidable option on the floor that mattered. Being someone who can space the floor for Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal is essential.</p><p>Fast forward to March and there have been some intriguing aspects of the season. For starters, Dunn was in and out of the lineup throughout February.</p><p>His confidence was rattled and it felt that shots were forced. With the constant rotation changes, it wasn’t a recipe for success. Only inconsistencies on both sides of the ball.</p><h2><b>Ryan Dunn has become a better shooter with the Suns</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ryan-Dunn.jpg"><figcaption>© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The 30.2% clip from 3-point range isn’t ideal in the slightest. Despite that metric, there have been legitimate flashes of an improved three ball.</p><p>For instance, Dunn has 17 games of two or more threes made in a game. Again, the number isn’t totally promising or on a role-player level. However, when looking at his college numbers, it clears significantly.</p><p>Luckily though, the progress has been fully noticed by that Big 3 of Beal, Durant, and Booker. Before the season, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-rookies-fearlessness-elevating-team-morale">the Suns rookies and their fearlessness elevated the team morale</a>.</p><p>Part of that fearlessness included taking chances, some of which might be embarrassing to some. Players won’t let others hear the end of it if an air-ball is shot.</p><p>Regardless of that, Dunn has had the green light from a barrage of teammates and coaches. Again, the defense is too good to keep him off the floor.</p><p>Before the All-Star break, he was leading the league in a variety of metrics. Some of those include being <a href="https://x.com/statdefender/status/1891141719338651739" rel="noopener">first in the league</a> in defensive field goal percentage in the fourth quarter and among all rookies.</p><h2><b>Ryan Dunn’s shooting and defense are what the Suns need</b></h2><p>The 3-and-D player is a commodity in today’s NBA. Someone who can space the floor and play elite defense is what teams will pay the top dollar for.</p><p>Luckily for the Suns, they managed to draft someone who fits the mold and who can play immediately. When <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-why-kevin-durant-sees-all-star-potential-ryan-dunn">Durant said positive things about Dunn during the All-Star break</a>, something was right.</p><p>Either way, the confidence will continue to grow as long as there is ample opportunity to play. As Phoenix aims for a play-in spot, playing their top defensive player is essential.</p><p>Even if the shooting isn’t where it would be desired to be, practice makes perfect, but so do the in-game opportunities.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns’ Ryan Dunn reveals biggest factor for improved shooting

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/suns-news-why-kevin-durant-sees-all-star-potential-ryan-dunn');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Kevin Durant sees All-Star potential in Suns’ Ryan Dunn');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Why-Kevin-Durant-sees-All-Star-potential-in-Ryan-Dunn.jpg1_.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Kevin Durant sees All-Star potential in Suns’ Ryan Dunn</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-17T21:22:31-08:00">February 17th, 9:22pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-17T21:22:31-08:00">February 17th, 9:22pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The trash talk. Between Kevin Durant and Ryan Dunn came to a close during the All-Star Game. The two Phoenix Suns forwards had been in a back-and-forth throughout the week. For instance, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-kevin-durant-ryan-dunn-hilarious-exchange-nba-all-star-game">Dunn and Durant had a funny moment before the All-Star Game</a>. It was another case of the veteran vs the rookie.</p><p>When the rookie scored eight points for Candace Parker’s rising stars, the 15-time All-Star remained impressed. When asked about who his favorite role player is, he <a href="https://x.com/DuaneRankin/status/1891357725034237982" rel="noopener">gave a simple answer</a>.</p><p>“Favorite role player? Ryan Dunn,” Durant said via AZCentral’s Duane Rankin after his win.</p><p>Dunn has filled his role quite well for being a rookie. He’s brought the defensive intensity every game and has the statistics to back it up. He’s been one of the best fourth-quarter defenders in the league. On the flip side, Durant has been one of the best fourth-quarter players in the league.</p><p>However, it makes the perfect fit between the two. Dunn has consistently learned from Durant how to be an elite defender. After all, defending one of the best players in the world every day in practice is quite an accomplishment. Either way, the standard has been high. For example, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-kevin-durant-establishes-high-standard-rookies-warriors">Durant established the high standard set for the Suns rookies</a>.</p><p>Still, Dunn has stepped up to the plate. Whether it’s improving his offensive skill set or locking down the top perimeter player, he’s been more than capable. Every game, it feels that his confidence is growing. When guys like Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal are cheering for you, it has to make the Suns rookie feel good.</p><h2><b>Suns’ Kevin Durant sees the All-Star Game in Ryan Dunn’s future</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Kevin-Durant-and-Ryan-Dunn.jpg"><figcaption>© Kyle Terada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While Durant has been a key mentor for plenty of rising stars, it’s different for Dunn. He experiences greatness firsthand. As mentioned before, his game has continuously improved. For example, he <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/dunnry01/gamelog/2025" rel="noopener">scored 10+ points in a five-game stretch</a>. Although the numbers don’t seem all that impressive, it makes him a legitimate threat.</p><p>Guys like Draymond Green didn’t agree with the Rising Stars getting a nomination for the All-Star Game. Regardless of that, it gave Dunn a taste of what the weekend is like. The weekend itself was atypical, and there was a first-ever tournament thrown into the mix.</p><p>Either way, it’s a special weekend that’s reserved for the best players in the league. Durant was excited that his rookie got a taste of what the All-Star festivities were like.</p><p>“I’m glad Ryan was able to come out there and play on Sunday night,” Durant said. “Something for him to aspire to and be in. Sunday night is a special time. Those rookies that were on the floor tonight, they looking at us as All-Stars, get some inspiration when they come back out there and play.</p><p>“I’m sure we’ll see a few of those guys playing on Sunday night as well. Ryan has a chance.”</p><p>There are 28 games left for the Suns as they hope to squeak into the playoffs, and even a play-in game. Currently, they sit <a href="https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/PHO/2025.html" rel="noopener">11th in the Western Conference</a>, which would knock them out of contention. They’ll need whatever means necessary to make a triumphant push.</p><p>One of those might be Dunn. When he receives the minutes, he’s proved he’s capable of making an immediate impact. Still, it’s only his rookie season but he’s ahead of the curve and could be the X-factor for a struggling Phoenix team.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Kevin Durant sees All-Star potential in Suns’ Ryan Dunn

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/suns-news-kevin-durant-ryan-dunn-hilarious-exchange-nba-all-star-game');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns’ Kevin Durant, Ryan Dunn’s hilarious exchange before NBA All-Star Game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Suns-news-Kevin-Durant-Ryan-Dunns-hilarious-exchange-before-NBA-All-Star-Game.jpg"></figure><h1>Suns’ Kevin Durant, Ryan Dunn’s hilarious exchange before NBA All-Star Game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-16T16:57:16-08:00">February 16th, 4:57pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-16T16:57:16-08:00">February 16th, 4:57pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Before the 2025 NBA All-Star Game, Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant and Ryan Dunn continued their friendly trash talk. Following the Rising Stars’ victory on Friday, they will play in the All-Star Game with Candace Parker as coach against Shaq’s OGs. As a result, Dunn will square off against Durant. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-ryan-dunn-rookie-campaign-awarded-rising-stars-spot">Dunn achieved a childhood dream of making the All-Star Game</a>, he’ll do so in a unique way due to the new format.</p><p>During a media availability with the Suns veteran on Saturday, the rookie <a href="https://x.com/DuaneRankin/status/1890863451033174372" rel="noopener">interrupted him</a>.</p><p>“Yeah, uh, K?” Dunn said. He asked about the matchup between himself and Durant. The 15-time All-Star quickly interjected and said, “I’m locked in on scouting report. Coach told me I was guarding you when we play on Sunday.”</p><p>Dunn mentioned training camp and was interrupted again by Durant.</p><p>“I pretty much, dominated training camp. … I look forward to doing the same thing against you tomorrow night.” The media room let out a laugh, as well as Dunn. To which he replied with “See you tomorrow night.” Durant afterward said, “Alright brother.”</p><p>While outsiders see the friendly banter, it’s for a good cause. Durant sees plenty of potential in the Suns rookie. After all, his defensive metrics are outstanding. He is first in <a href="https://x.com/statdefender/status/1891141719338651739" rel="noopener">fourth quarter defensive field goal percentage</a> among 185 Players (Min. 90 total defensive field goals attempted).</p><p>Not to mention, he’s also first in defensive field goal percentage among all rookies (minimum of 150 total defensive field goal attempts). While the offense has been a bit inconsistent, the defensive acumen is already there. Still, he’s going up against one of the best offensive players the game has ever seen in Durant.</p><p>He’ll have his work cut out for him.</p><h2><b>Suns’ Kevin Durant will make Ryan Dunn work during the All-Star Game</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Ryan-Dunn.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While Dunn’s defensive metrics are beyond impressive, Durant’s offensive metrics are equally, if not more impressive. For beginners, he is <a href="https://x.com/statdefender/status/1889344163528966342" rel="noopener">first in four separate scoring categories</a>. He’s first in effective field goal percentage on isolations among 69 Players (min. 50 ISO possessions)</p><p>The Suns star is first in EFG% in transition among 86 Players (min. 120 Transition Possessions). First in mid-range FG% among 62 Players (min. 70 Mid-Range FGA). He’s first in clutch free throw percentage among 22 players (min. 20 attempts). Lastly, he’s first in 4th quarter field goal percentage among 61 Players (min. 130 Total FGA).</p><p>Although the advanced statistics seem a bit too much, it shows how great of a scorer Durant is. One of the best defenders in the league will take on one of the best offensive players. It’s a match made in heaven for fans, especially Suns fans. They’ve understood how good the team is and how much the rookie makes an impact.</p><p>Even though <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-kevin-durant-establishes-high-standard-rookies-warriors">Durant established a high standard for the Suns rookies</a>, it’s been one they can match. It’s been a standard that’s kept Dunn in the rotation and playing consistently. His offensive game continues to grow with each game. The aggressiveness, confidence, and sneaky athleticism surprise the defense.</p><p>However, Durant won’t likely be fooled. Some of his teammates in the All-Star Game might be surprised by his sneaky skill set. Durant setting the tone for Dunn could be a very beneficial thing for the two. It can show how much of his offensive game has grown.</p><p>Following the break, the Suns only have 28 games left to make it to the playoffs. They’ll need everything they can get from every player. Durant has been the consistent source of offense, but Dunn could make his case for legitimate starting minutes going forward.</p><p>The defense is there, but will the offense catch up in time? That’s a question that others might find out on Sunday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns’ Kevin Durant, Ryan Dunn’s hilarious exchange before NBA All-Star Game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/suns-news-ryan-dunn-childhood-dream-all-star-weekend-invite');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns’ Ryan Dunn achieves childhood dream with All-Star Weekend invite');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ryan-Dunn-achieves-childhood-dream-with-All-Star-Weekend-invite.png"></figure><h1>Suns’ Ryan Dunn achieves childhood dream with All-Star Weekend invite</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-02-14T15:39:38-08:00">February 14th, 3:39pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-02-14T15:39:38-08:00">February 14th, 3:39pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>At the end of January, Phoenix Suns rookie <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-ryan-dunn-rookie-campaign-awarded-rising-stars-spot">Ryan Dunn was awarded an invite to All-Star Weekend</a>, as a part of the Rising Stars game. He was the injury replacement for Philadelphia 76ers guard Jared McCain. However, Dunn has had an impactful season that doesn’t show up on the stat sheet.</p><p>In 49 games this season, he’s started in 28 of them. His defensive impact has been essential next to Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and the rest of the Suns roster. However, once he landed in San Francisco, he took it all in. Dunn explained how he’s <a href="https://x.com/Suns/status/1890523432271368437" rel="noopener">making a dream come true</a>.</p><p>“Getting to know these guys, we’re going to be here for a long time, and to try and grow connections and get to know each other well,” Dunn said via the Suns X account. “It’s going to be great. I’m very excited. Like you said, it’s my first ever All-Star game, so I always wanted to go as a kid, and being able to just let to do this for my first time is great.</p><p>“Just taking it all in, being able just to be grateful, and thank God for the glory.”</p><h2><b>Ryan Dunn can show out for the Suns at All-Star Weekend</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ryan-Dunn.jpg"><figcaption>© Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The best rookie and sophomore players come together for the annual game. However, Dunn has grown his game since the season debut. The Suns wing was mostly, and still is a three-and-d player. His 6’8 height mixed with a <a href="https://www.nbadraft.net/players/ryan-dunn/" rel="noopener">7’1 wingspan and a 38-inch vertical</a> are impressive physical traits.</p><p>Still, his game has grown in half of a season. For example, he’s been operating effectively in the short roll. His floater game has improved drastically. Not to mention, his ball handling as well. The acrobatic finishes and increased aggressiveness at the basket are a welcome sight for viewers.</p><p>Even with the Suns’ inconsistencies this season, Dunn has done all he can to make a difference. He’s continuing to work on his craft but will have a national stage to show his skills.</p><p>However, his teammates aren’t surprised with the invite. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-rookies-fearlessness-elevating-team-morale">Suns’ rookie fearlessness elevated the team morale</a> in the preseason, and it’s done so at this point in the season as well. He’s the lone rookie representative of the team at the All-Star Weekend. Despite that, he’ll have a chance to make an impact, as he’s done the entire season.</p><p>Being on the national stage could give Dunn a taste of life as a star in the NBA. Either way, he’s remaining grateful for the opportunity to represent his team and have the All-Star Weekend experience.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns’ Ryan Dunn achieves childhood dream with All-Star Weekend invite

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/suns-news-ryan-dunn-rookie-campaign-awarded-rising-stars-spot');   ga('set', 'title', 'Ryan Dunn’s impressive Suns rookie campaign awarded with Rising Stars spot');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ryan-Dunns-impressive-rookie-campaign-awarded-with-Rising-Stars-spot.jpg"></figure><h1>Ryan Dunn’s impressive Suns rookie campaign awarded with Rising Stars spot</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-01-31T15:04:36-08:00">January 31st, 3:04pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-01-31T15:04:36-08:00">January 31st, 3:04pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Before Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn was invited to the NBA Rising Stars game, he <a href="https://x.com/PHNX_Suns/status/1884664249768681866" rel="noopener">hoped to have had the chance</a>.</p><p>“Obviously that’s something I kinda wish I had, that was a goal of mine,” Dunn said via Gerald Bourguet of PHNX Sports. “So it was kind of upsetting at first not making it, but I give credit to those rookies, they’re balling out this year.”</p><p>Fast forward two days and Dunn is officially a part of the Rising Stars. He’s replacing fellow rookie Jared McCain, who tore his meniscus earlier in the year. However, Dunn’s vote isn’t one of pity. It’s more than worth it. When the Suns drafted Ryan Dunn, they were getting an elite defender.</p><p>After <a href="https://virginiasports.com/news/2024/03/11/beekman-and-dunn-earn-all-acc-honors/" rel="noopener">making the ACC All-Defensive team</a> with Virginia basketball, those skills translated nicely. He is posting a Defended Field Goal Percentage of 40.8%, which leads all rookies. He also ranks sixth in the league among players to have defended at least 300 field goal attempts.</p><p>For a rookie and in a stacked Western Conference, that’s beyond impressive. Still, his defense reigns supreme, but his offensive game is developing nicely. He began the season on a hot streak from 3, but it simmered down. However, in a game against the Washington Wizards, he <a href="https://www.si.com/college/virginia/former-uva-basketball-star-ryan-dunn-posts-first-career-nba-double-double" rel="noopener">posted a career-high amid his first double-double</a>.</p><p>He had 18 points and 11 rebounds in that game. Not to mention, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-bradley-beal-honest-take-ryan-dunn-starting-in-his-place">Dunn has been starting in the place of Bradley Beal</a>, something that sparked some narratives. Despite the move, Beal has said time and time again that Dunn is worthy of the spot and brings many intangibles to the table.</p><h2><b>Ryan Dunn’s Rising Stars nod is a credit to the Suns</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ryan-Dunn.jpg"><figcaption>© Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While his impact speaks volumes by itself, he’s had some help along the way. All-Stars like Beal, Devin Booker, and Kevin Durant have all encouraged Dunn, and fellow rookie, Oso Ighodaro. As a result, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-rookies-fearlessness-elevating-team-morale">Suns rookies’ fearlessness elevated the team morale</a> during the preseason.</p><p>That energy continued to follow the team into the regular season. Whether defending the best perimeter player, diving for a loose ball, or making an energy play, his contributions help keep the stars on their toes. They don’t want the rookies to outwork them, but Dunn is setting the tone.</p><p>Furthermore, he’s growing as a slasher and a roller to the basket. There will be plenty of times when he’ll be the screener and flare to the free-throw line. He’s developed a nice floater from that range, which has helped his game. Also, Dunn has had his fair share of athletic moments.</p><p>Climbing up for a block, doing an up-and-under layup or a simple dunk, he has the potential and is already contributing mightily to a win-now Suns team. Either way, this is a big stepping stone for Dunn. Many will soon see his potential, and question how he fell so far in the 2024 NBA Draft.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Ryan Dunn’s impressive Suns rookie campaign awarded with Rising Stars spot

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/suns-news-bradley-beal-honest-take-ryan-dunn-starting-in-his-place');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns’ Bradley Beal gives brutally honest take on Ryan Dunn starting in his place');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Suns-news-Bradley-Beal-s-brutally-honest-take-on-Ryan-Dunn-starting-in-his-place.jpg"></figure><h1>Suns’ Bradley Beal gives brutally honest take on Ryan Dunn starting in his place</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-01-07T15:34:33-08:00">January 7th, 3:34pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-01-07T15:34:33-08:00">January 7th, 3:34pm</time><address><a href="https://haydencilley.wixsite.com/hayden-cilley-s-port">Hayden Cilley</a>Hayden Cilley joined ClutchPoints in August 2024 as a Phoenix Suns and Mercury reporter, as well as an Associate Editor. Hayden graduated from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University while covering events like the 2023 NCAA Men's Final Four, the 2024 Vrbo Fiesta Bowl and the Arizona State men's swim and dive team. He recently covered the Phoenix Mercury for The Next Hoops and PHNX Sports.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Mini-Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>For all of the talk surrounding <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-shocking-bradley-beal-jusuf-nurkic-moves-amid-dry-spell">Bradley Beal’s benching</a>, he’s taken everything in stride. However, Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn has been the beneficiary of the move. While he’s started in plenty of games before, this one was during an uneasy time. Even with the adjustment to the bench, Beal didn’t want Dunn to have his light dimmed.</p><p>He told AZCentral’s Duane Rankin after Monday’s game about his <a href="https://x.com/DuaneRankin/status/1876496213551571080" rel="noopener">on-court moment</a> with the Suns rookie.</p><p>“My first thought process was him,” Beal said. “He’s thrown in the fire and mix of everything. He doesn’t really get to enjoy starting as a young rookie in the league. That’s big. Everybody is so caught up in my s**t and whatever is going on.”</p><p>The move has put a spotlight on Phoenix for a plethora of reasons. While head coach Mike Budenholzer said it’s a basketball move, there might be more to the story. After all, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-suns-hold-most-interest-in-jimmy-butler-trade">Suns hold the most interest in trading for Jimmy Butler</a>. That doesn’t make matters any easier for the Phoenix guard.</p><p>Despite the outside noise, he remained committed to having Dunn be the best version of himself. Beal explained the pep talk he gave the rookie before tipoff.</p><p>“I told him before the game, ‘Just lock in, just be you,” Beal said. “Keep playing the way you’ve been playing. You ain’t doing anything wrong. Stay locked in and be you.’ I’m so proud of him.”</p><h2><b>Bradley Beal’s support of Ryan Dunn is huge for the Suns</b></h2><p>Dunn has reciprocated that love all season. He’s always talked about the <a href="https://www.essentiallysports.com/nba-active-basketball-news-suns-news-kevin-durant-entrusts-rookies-ryan-dunn-and-oso-ighodaro-with-major-responsibility-as-preseason-heats-up/" rel="noopener">leadership, support, and encouragement of the veterans</a>. Now, it might be a different feeling for Dunn. Moments after Beal explained his pep talk to Dunn, the Phoenix rookie spoke on what he took from Beal during that time.</p><p>“Keep doing what you’re supposed to do,” Dunn said. “Don’t worry about nothing. The media, the critics, the criticism, about anything that’s going on. Keep doing your job.”</p><p>“I give Brad a lot of thanks as a guy that I looked up to in my career. He’s been handling everything very well. He’s been encouraging us to not worry about himself but worry about the team, and I think we need that a lot. I give Brad a lot of thanks for that.”</p><h2><b>Ryan Dunn will create winning basketball for the Suns</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ryan-Dunn-dunking.jpg"><figcaption>© Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Much of the news has been circulating only around Beal. The move affects the team off the court but affects them on the court. With Dunn starting in his place, there’s another defensive-minded wing on the perimeter. Budenholzer explained before Monday’s game via ClutchPoints’ Sam DiGiovanni about what Dunn brings to the starting five.</p><p>“I think his size, his athleticism, a defensive presence,” Budenholzer said. “I think that starting a group or starting a game with could be very helpful. Mason’s been playing with that group and I think there’s a little bit of a rhythm. Again, we’re just trying to find our way to be our best.”</p><p>While the Suns are in a back-to-back and take on the Charlotte Hornets, they had a much-needed win against the Philadelphia 76ers. Beal dropped a team-high 25 points off the bench. As for Dunn, he posted 15 points, three made three-pointers, and four rebounds.</p><p>The defensive versatility takes a huge step with the former Virginia basketball standout. The Suns will hope to extend their winning streak against the Hornets on Tuesday. It’s the last game of a three-game road trip before heading back to Phoenix. Dunn will likely remain in the starting five as long as Beal is on the bench.</p><p>However, that support and encouragement have made the adjustment easier for the two players.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Suns’ Bradley Beal gives brutally honest take on Ryan Dunn starting in his place

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/suns-news-ryan-dunn-reason-not-getting-jusuf-nurkic-naji-marshall-fight');   ga('set', 'title', 'Suns rookie Ryan Dunn’s reason for not getting in Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall fight');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Suns-news-Ryan-Dunns-hilarious-reason-for-not-getting-involved-in-Jusuf-Nurkic-Naji-Marshall-fight.jpg"></figure><h1>Suns rookie Ryan Dunn’s reason for not getting in Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall fight</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-28T09:41:06-08:00">December 28th, 9:41am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-28T09:41:06-08:00">December 28th, 9:41am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Dallas Mavericks</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>When the fight broke out, Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn tried to avoid a fine at all costs. Three players were ejected in a 98-89 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-3-ejected-jusuf-nurkic-mavs-naji-marshall-throw-hands">scuffle between Jusuf Nurkic and Naji Marshall</a> resulted in both players’ ejections and PJ Washington, who shoved Nurkic to the ground.</p><p>After the loss, Dunn <a href="https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin/status/1872874878736711858" rel="noopener">shared</a> his point of view from the melee, according to Arizona Central’s Duane Rankin. </p><p>“I turned my head, turned back, and Nurkic was going forward.” Ryan Dunn on Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington fight. Pulled Nurkic away. “I’m a rookie. I don’t have enough money to be getting fined $5000. I can’t throw a punch, but just trying to deescalate it.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">"I turned my head, turned back and Nurkic was going forward."</p><p>Ryan Dunn on Jusuf Nurkic, Naji Marshall, P.J. Washington fight.</p><p>Pulled Nurkic away.</p><p>"I'm a rookie. I dont have enough money to be getting fined $5000. I can't throw a punch, but just trying to deescalate it." <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Suns?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Suns</a> <a href="https://t.co/Hrcmg6hCcz">pic.twitter.com/Hrcmg6hCcz</a></p><p>— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) <a href="https://twitter.com/DuaneRankin/status/1872874878736711858?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2024</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Kevin Durant scored a team-high 35 points. Royce O’Neale supplied 14 points, two steals, and a pair of blocks, and Bradley Beal finished with 11 points, four assists, and two steals. Kyrie Irving’s 20 points led five Mavericks players in double figures, including Daniel Gafford (16 points), Maxi Kleber (15 points), Spencer Dinwiddie (15 points), and Klay Thompson (11 points).</p><h2><b>3 ejections after Jusuf Nukic, Naji Marshall Suns-Mavericks fight</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Suns-center-Jusuf-Nurkic.jpg"><figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Suns superstar <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/suns-news-kevin-durant-jusuf-nurkic-fight-naji-marshall">Kevin Durant weighed in on the scuffle</a> between Mavericks’ Naji Marshall and Jusuf Nukic. The two teams brawled in the third quarter, resulting in three ejections, including Mavericks forward PJ Washington.</p><p>It was quite the <a href="https://x.com/GeraldBourguet/status/1872850030287360374" rel="noopener">scene</a> at the Footprint Center, per PHNX Sports’ Gerald Bourget.</p><p>“Oh damn. Naji Marshall and Jusuf Nurkic got into a fight, looked like a punch was thrown,” Bouquet reported. “Nurk got knocked down in the scuffle. Looked like it started with Marshall saying something to Nurk and him doubling back.”</p><p>After the loss, Durant addressed what he saw from the fight.</p><p>“I turned around at the right time…I didn’t know what they were talking about,” said the Suns superstar forward.</p><p>The Suns will face the Warriors on Saturday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
6.9	3.6	0.8	0.5	0.6

2024-25 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
6.9	3.6	0.8	0.5	0.6

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