The Los Angeles Lakers faced their first loss to the Phoenix on Monday night, partly because LeBron James wasn’t playing well.
James wasn’t in fine form for a number of reasons, including the fact that he was feeling under the weather.
Another cause of James’ off night was Ryan Dunn, the young rookie forward who clamped down on him all night.
Evan Sidery pointed out that when Dunn was guarding James, the Lakers star shot 0-of-4 from the floor and also faced 1 block and 2 turnovers.
“The Suns have a legitimately elite defensive wing with their first-round pick,” Sidery wrote and that has many Suns fans thrilled for what’s next.
Ryan Dunn when guarding LeBron James last night:
0-4 FGA
1 block
2 turnoversThe Suns have a legitimately elite defensive wing with their first-round pick. pic.twitter.com/7xfEB4F0Tu
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) October 29, 2024
Dunn was chosen as the 28th pick in the recent NBA draft and it wasn’t entirely clear what he could bring to the team.
So far during the first four games of the season, he has averaged 7.8 points and 1.8 rebounds, shooting 52.2% from the field and 43.8% from the three-point line.
On Monday night, it was all about Dunn’s defense.
Guarding James is never easy, but Dunn seemed to figure out how to slow down the NBA legend.
Of course, he was helped because James was seemingly sick but there is no doubt that Dunn was playing well and finding multiple ways to minimize James’ impact.
The impressive work from Dunn is great news for the Suns, especially since they have spent so much money on their big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal.
They are now strapped for cash and assets so seeing a rookie they drafted do well is encouraging and exciting.
He’s gotten off to a great start this season and has shut down the biggest name in the game and that means Dunn will probably get more time on the floor, and more attention too.
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