PHOENIX, ARIZONA - NOVEMBER 04: Ryan Dunn #0 of the Phoenix Suns attempts a dunk against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center on November 04, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) | Getty Images John Voita · SB Nation Sun, November 8, 2026 at 11:00 PM UTC · 3 min read About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Phoenix Suns have won two consecutive games, and confidence is slowly beginning to build. Much of that confidence stems from the team's newfound ability to play defense, something noticeably absent through the first six games of the season. Playing a shorthanded Orlando Magic team certainly helped, but for the first time all season, Phoenix held an opponent under 110 points. Two nights later, they followed that performance by holding the Houston Rockets, one of the NBA's most productive offenses, under 100.
One of the more pleasant surprises early this season has been the play of Ryan Dunn, who currently leads the Suns in three-point shooting at 53.8%. And while every three-pointer he knocks down strengthens his case for additional opportunities and minutes, it's his defense and rebounding that have truly stood out. Why? Because those have been, quite honestly, the two biggest deficiencies for this team.
Phoenix is undersized, and securing rebounds has been a persistent challenge. Dunn helps alleviate that problem through his athleticism, physicality, and willingness to pursue the basketball. He possesses the explosiveness to go up and meet a rebound at its highest point rather than standing around waiting for it to come to him. Defensively, he's been everything the Suns hoped he would be when they drafted him out of Virginia. His confidence is clearly growing, and you can see that same confidence developing among his teammates when he's on the floor.
Want to know how impactful Ryan Dunn has been? When Dunn is on the court, the Suns have a net rating of +24.1. When he's off the floor, that number plummets to -18.6. That's a staggering +42.7 differential, the second largest in the entire NBA behind only Alex Caruso. Dunn also leads Phoenix with a cumulative plus/minus of +40.
Those numbers are absurd, especially for a player whose offensive limitations were considered one of his biggest obstacles entering the league. And while we're still dealing with a relatively small sample size, the difference in how this team performs with Dunn on the court is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The Suns are a completely different team when Ryan Dunn is playing. They're not world beaters by any stretch of the imagination, but what Dunn brings to the floor is precisely what made Phoenix so enjoyable to watch a season ago. The hustle, the grit, the tenacity, and the willingness to do the dirty work that doesn't always show up in the box score.
Those qualities helped transform last year's Suns into a team that was both likable and productive. And as Phoenix begins to rediscover that identity, Ryan Dunn is emerging as one of the players most responsible for bringing it back. His impact goes well beyond the numbers, although those numbers are becoming pretty damn difficult to ignore. Jordan Ott has spent the early season searching for combinations that work. At this point, the evidence suggests one thing is becoming increasingly clear. Ryan Dunn needs to be part of the equation.
Source: Sports
