3 takeaways from the Suns win against the Nuggets

The Phoenix Suns’ preseason, through four games, has provided reasons for optimism. While the preseason is typically uneventful, serving its purpose as a warm-up for the long and demanding season ahead, it’s not where you’ll see intricate offensive sets or stifling defensive schemes. Nor will the star players log significant minutes.

What you’re really hoping for in the preseason, knowing the outcomes don’t carry weight, is growth. Especially with a new head coach at the helm, you want to see progress. A stronger command of the basics and sharper execution of the fundamentals. The goal is to witness steady improvement.

Phoenix beat Denver on Sunday night 118-114, but it’s not the final score that impressed. It was those who were allotted extra time with all starters in street clothes. Let’s get into it.

Let’s start with Ryan Dunn, shall we?

Ryan Dunn. Taken with the 28th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns, we all had hope he would be able to contribute. But he’s a rookie. This is a team in “win now” mode. James Jones doesn’t have time for development. Every minute of every game needs to contribute to the common goal: win a championship in 2024 while the core of Devin Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal is intact.

But Ryan Dunn has been different.

Sure, it’s only preseason. These games don’t count. Still, what we see from Dunn is beyond impressive, it’s game-changing.

Touted as potentially the best defensive prospect in the draft, Dunn had one major flaw. He couldn’t shoot. In his two years at the University of Virginia, he averaged 23.5% shooting from three-point range. He made a total of 12 — 12-of-51 — as a Cavalier. If he can be a 33% shooter in the NBA, he could be the steal of the draft.

Oh, snap!

Ryan Dunn went 6-of-11 from deep last night, scoring 20 points in the win that doesn’t count. But that shooting matters! Dunn is now 12-of-27 shooting from beyond the arc this preseason — a 44.4% clip — and has attempted the most threes on the team through four games.

Let the salivating begin. If Dunn can carry this into the regular season, there’s no telling what Phoenix could be. Sure, sustaining a 44.4% shooting clip might be unrealistic. However, becoming a legitimate threat from three-point range — forcing opponents to respect your shot and preventing them from sagging off defensively — makes a big difference. When you add that to the defensive impact he’s already shown, it’s a huge win for both him and the Suns’ roster.

Hitting on this pick, given the state of the Suns’ salary cap, was a priority this offseason. Early returns are positive.

Bol Bol looked better

Heading into Sunday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets, Bol has seemed a step behind. So far, through the first three games, his growth and command of the fundamentals haven’t fully clicked. He’s looked a step slow and a step behind.

That’s what the preseason is for, but when even rookies are grasping concepts, executing, and processing the game at a quicker pace, it raises a slight eyebrow. Just a slight one. Like the People’s Eyebrow. I’m not throwing my hands up in panic just yet.

His first three games? In 46 minutes, Bol was 2-of-9 shooting and 0-of-5 from deep. He looked out of rhythm.

On Sunday night, although it took a little bit for him to get going, Bol appeared to return to form. He scored 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting, including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.

Bol is fighting for minutes, so these opportunities count. In doing a little research, I found the following…Bol Bol gets better the more time he plays in a game.

Last season, here is how Bol performed offensively relative to the minutes allotted to him:

• 0-5 MP: 45.8 FG% (11-of-24) , 0 3PT% (0-of-9)
• 10-15 MP: 61.4 FG% (27-of-44), 44.4 3PT% (8-of-18)
• 11+ MP: 60 FG% (24-of-40), 46.2 3PT% (6-of-13)

You might be saying to yourself, “Well, duh Voita”. The point I’m making here is that Bol is a player who lacks confidence initially. He’s tentative. We witnessed it last night. The game began and, on the first defensive possession, Bol didn’t know who he was guarding.

He truly takes time to warm up, both physically and mentally. Wil this be a challenge for him as the season progresses as he’s fighting for minutes with players who are more engaged early? Time will tell. But it is something to keep and eye on.

Hey Monte!

Monte Morris got the start last night, and he looked impressive. He effectively facilitated the offense, carefully choosing when to be aggressive with his own scoring. He shot 7-of-12 from the field, including 4-of-7 from deep, finishing with 20 points, 7 assists, and just one turnover. That brings his assist-to-turnover ratio to an outstanding 18:1 this preseason.

When the Suns acquired him this offseason, I think we were all excited. The team was finally getting a quality backup point guard. One who values ball security and boasts a career 39.1% shooting from deep. Adding Tyus Jones, who seems to be cut from the same cloth as Monte Morris, felt like a game-changer.

Last night highlighted the depth Morris brings to the table. And let’s be honest: injuries are inevitable this season. Players will miss time. But having someone like Morris, who can step in and perform like he did in Denver, makes the Suns a dangerous sleeper in the West.

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My biggest takeaway from the game in Denver wasn’t just that Phoenix secured a win, but the growth we witnessed. Wins in the preseason, while encouraging, are ultimately secondary to the process of building chemistry and refining skills. What stood out was how players adapted to new roles, embraced fundamentals, and contributed in meaningful ways.

It’s these subtle, often overlooked moments — like improved decision-making, sharper rotations on defense, and more fluid ball movement — that speak volumes about the team’s potential. This kind of development is what lays the groundwork for a successful season, where the wins will truly matter.

I’m interested to read what observations you have below.