Phoenix Suns’ Ryan Dunn locks up LeBron James

Yep. He put him in the Dunngeon.

The legend of Ryan Dunn continues.

When the Phoenix Suns selected their rookie with the 28th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft, we expected a defensive boost, an element this offense-driven team needed. But I don’t think any of us anticipated just how quickly he’d make his presence felt. Four games into the 2024-25 season, his impact is undeniable, not only for the team but also for every opponent he’s defended.

In just four games, Dunn has already compiled an impressive list of high-profile players he’s defended. MVP favorite Luka Doncic. Former MVP James Harden. GCOAT LeBron James (yeah, that’s not a typo…“Greatest Career of All-Time”).

Last night, as the Suns entered the second quarter down by 9 points — after trailing by as much as 18 in the first — it was Ryan Dunn’s entry into the lineup that shifted the momentum. Phoenix, initially flat on both ends, came alive when Dunn hit the court, bringing the kind of youthful energy only a rookie can. His enthusiasm was contagious, sparking the team on both offense and defense.

Heck, every Bradley Beal was feeling the defensive vibes, chasing down Rui Hachimura for a double-handed stuff at the cylinder.

“He just carries himself more maturely,” Devin Booker said of Dunn after the 109-105 win versus the Lakers. “He has a mature lifestyle, his body is developed, he’s strong, he’s not scrawny. He doesn’t need to put on weight or get stronger in this department; like his athleticism is already at a top NBA level, and he’s using it.”

We witnessed it firsthand as Dunn took on the challenge of guarding LeBron James, who finished the night with just 11 points on 3-of-14 shooting. Remarkably, in only his fourth career game, Dunn stepped up to defend one of the greatest players in basketball history. It was his second game matching up against LeBron. And once again, he succeeded.

Don’t expect LeOwned to give the rookie any credit, however. “I’ve been better, you can hear it in my voice,” LeBron told reporters after the game.

Ah, it was illness that shut down LeCough, not Ryan Dunn.

Dunn’s defensive tenacity is clear on plays like the one below, where the Suns’ switching defense and his late-clock pressure on LeTurnover forced a shot clock violation. And you can see the emotion pour out of Dunn when the possession’s mission was complete.

This fired up the crowd at Footprint Center as the Suns fought their way back into the game.

Beyond his infectious energy, Dunn’s real value lies in his instinctive defensive skills. He has excellent court awareness, knowing just when to sag off his man to provide crucial help defense. We witnessed then on the possession in which he blocked LeBron James.

In 213 possessions played thus far this season, Dunn has a defensive rating of 105.5 and a net rating of +14.0.

“He’s gonna learn some things along the way that are gonna make things easier,” Book continued on Monday night. “But having the competitive fight to do what you said, to fight over screens and just want to compete, that’s step one, and he has that.”

The kid has it so far. And it is a joy to watch.