Bradley Beal’s Absence and Ryan Dunn’s Debut: Phoenix Suns’ Home Opener Against Dallas Mavericks

The Phoenix Suns kicked off their 2024-25 regular season home opener against the Dallas Mavericks without star player Bradley Beal, who was ruled out due to an elbow injury. Beal, a key figure for the Suns after his trade from the Washington Wizards, was listed as questionable before the game but ultimately did not participate.

In Beal’s absence, rookie Ryan Dunn stepped into the starting lineup, marking his first start in the NBA. Dunn, the Suns’ first-round pick from Virginia, had already impressed during preseason and training camp. He was tasked with guarding one of the league’s top players, Luka Doncic, a significant test for the young rookie.

Dunn performed admirably, scoring 13 points, grabbing one rebound, and making one assist in 21 minutes of play. He also showcased strong defensive skills, earning praise from Coach Mike Budenholzer and his teammates. “I think it was a great night for Ryan (Dunn). That there (Luka Dončić) is one of the top, top players in our league, a top test in our league to go into the lab and learn from it,” Budenholzer said after the game.

Suns center Jusuf Nurkic also shared advice with Dunn, who found himself in foul trouble during the game. Nurkic highlighted the rookie’s eagerness to compete and his potential to be a significant boost for the team’s energy and defense.

The Suns’ victory over the Mavericks was a positive start to their season, and it remains to be seen if Dunn will continue to feature in the starting lineup, especially with Beal’s injury status being monitored closely.