The Phoenix Suns had without doubt their most impressive win of the young season on Thursday night, coming all the way back from 21 points down to beat the L.A. Clippers for the second time this season. The result putting them at 4-1, and the manner of the 125-119 win getting a great reaction out of Kevin Durant on social media.
It is still too early to think about how far this group could go - the scars from last season remain fresh - but there's no doubt this is a different team with a much different energy. No longer are they sleepwalking through periods of a game - and when they do - head coach Mike Budenholzer is usually able to snap them out of it.
It is also getting harder to ignore rookie Ryan Dunn's impact.
Dunn played an important role in this victory, once again getting the start in the absence of Bradley Beal. This was his second start of the campaign, and he rewarded the coach staff's belief in him by playing the third most minutes of any player at 34. More even than Tyus Jones, you know the point guard who the Suns did brilliantly to go and get this offseason.
Devin Booker may have put up a 40 piece - with Durant having his quietest night offensively so far with 18 - but Dunn's 16 points and four boards were massively important. More than that, he actually managed to step into the minutes void created by Beal, as opposed to having other guys eat them up to try and cover for his absence.
"We definitely had him in our gym and worked with him. Watched his shot, watched him different situations and felt like we'd be excited about getting him." Mike Budenholzer on rookie Ryan Dunn.
— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) November 1, 2024
"Keep getting in the gym. Keep working. Keep his ears open. He's got a chance." #Suns pic.twitter.com/3LQwwbyZMU
It is still so early in the season, but nights like this one make it very hard to keep Dunn out of the starting lineup. Getting Beal to sign off on this would surely be very difficult, while the $50 million he is making this season alone is a stumbling block. But already Dunn has shown he can play big minutes and actually contribute offensively, while on the other end he is an upgrade over Beal.
That is unfortunate for the former Washington Wizards star, as defensively he's looked as good as ever when he has been out there so far this season. But he just don't have the body of Dunn, which enables the Suns to switch much more easily and gives them real length when they're trying to slow down other team's elite scorers.
The 43.8 percent he's managed to shoot from deep - after looking anything but a threat from beyond the arc in college - also appears sustainable as well, as Dunn managed to go 4-of-9 in this one. His ability to keep this up might just be what allows him to win this battle in the end, because the evidence is mounting that the starting five has better balance with him in it.
The idea of being the sixth man also doesn't make much sense either, as Dunn's skills seem to translate better to playing alongside the likes of Booker and Tyus Jones and helping them on the defensive end. Royce O'Neale is off to a great start in this spot anyway, another reason the Suns have hit the ground running.
Really though Beal would want to get back on the court quick - as every game he is not available - Dunn continues to make a strong case for taking his spot. The Clippers game was only one win, even if it was an impressive one, but even the previous loss to the Los Angeles Lakers he willingly defended LeBron James. Seems only a matter of time before a big decision has to be made.