PHOENIX — After losing their last four games as well as five of their last six, it appears the Phoenix Suns have hit a bit of a skid in this early stretch of the season.
The Suns opened the season 8-1, matching the best start in franchise history, but injuries to key rotation players like Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, Jusuf Nurkic, and Grayson Allen have halted that hot streak. Rookies Ryan Dunn and Oso Ighodaro have been thrust into the starting lineup and playing valuable minutes while their teammates work their way back to full health.
“For me it’s just looking at the deeper meaning of just getting more reps as a rookie and getting the game time experience,” Dunn said. “I think that’s the best experience a rookie can get. Playing in the NBA against these guys every night and playing against the best players.”
Fifteen games into the season and Dunn, who was selected in the first round of this year’s draft, has already been plugged into the starting lineup eight times. The Virginia product has already captured the attention of the NBA audience with his three-point shooting and effort on the defensive end of the floor.
Ighodaro, who played high school basketball at Desert Vista in Ahwatukee, had a solid performance in his first career start against the Orlando Magic earlier this month.
As the longest-tenured Suns player, Devin Booker likes to say: “Experience is the best teacher.” This is an opportunity for the young players to get meaningful minutes earlier in their NBA careers.
“A lot of learning experience for the young guys and for all of us. You never know later in the season when somebody might be thrown in the fire or another injury could possibly happen,” Booker said. “The benefit of having the great start that we did, we gave ourselves a little bit of cushion so we’ll try to get everybody healthy but learn the most that we can while everyone’s hurt.”
The Suns continue their homestand Wednesday night against the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers visit downtown Phoenix on Tuesday, November 26.
Follow the conversation with Lina Washington on X and Instagram: @LWashingtonTV. If you have a sports story idea, email Lina at LWashington@12News.com.
The city of Phoenix is home to four major professional sports league teams; The NFL's Arizona Cardinals, NBA's Phoenix Suns, WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and MLB's Arizona Diamondbacks.
The Cardinals have made State Farm Stadium in Glendale their home turf and the Footprint Center in downtown Phoenix is home to both the Suns and the Mercury. The Indoor Football League’s Arizona Rattlers play at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale.
Phoenix also has a soccer team with the USL's Phoenix Rising FC, who play at Phoenix Rising FC Stadium in Phoenix.
The Valley hosts multiple major sporting events on a yearly basis, including college football's Fiesta Bowl and Guaranteed Rate Bowl; the PGA Tour’s highest-attended event, the WM Phoenix Open; NASCAR events each spring and fall, including Championship Weekend in November; and Cactus League Spring Training for 15 Major League Baseball franchises.
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