PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JANUARY 11: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns looks on prior to the NBA game against u at Footprint Center on January 11, 2025 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Jazz 114-106. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kelsey Grant/Getty Images)
Suns rookie Ryan Dunn gets in scoring column NBA Rising Stars team advances in tourney..
Suns rookie Ryan Dunn made some positive contributions on his NBA Rising Stars squad, Team C, on Friday night which went on to win the newly fashioned All-Star weekend showcase tournament hosted at the Golden State Warrior’s Chase Center in San Francisco.
He scored on his lone shot attempt of a semifinal game that was decided by the first team to reach 40 points. Dunn also added three assists in his 8:05 on the floor.
Team C, nicknamed after honorary coach Chris Mullin, hung on to win 40-34 over Team T, named after its honorary coach Tim Hardaway.
“From the Phoenix Suns, number 0…RYAN DUNN!” 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/AurBSTWu3D
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 15, 2025
One of the assists by the 6-foot-8 Virginia product stood taller than the others, as he backed Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski into the paint and flicked the ball to a cutting Dalton Knecht for an easy deuce.
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— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 15, 2025
Dunn’s team, whom he only made after replacing injured 76ers’ rookie Jared McCain, then matched up against semifinal two winner Team G League, which advanced via a tightly contested game of its own. Rip City Remix’s Bryce McGowens nailed a step-back 3 to bury Team M, 40-39 (honorary coach Mitch Richmond at the helm).
Dunn became the 12th Sun, and first since Deandre Ayton in 2020, to compete in this star-studded event.
The NBA Rising Stars final was played till the first team reached 25 points instead of 40, finishing a three-game sprint over a roughly two-hour period.
Dunn didn’t see any action due to a coaches’ decision by Mullin.
After a steal by Knecht, Utah Jazz shooting guard Keyonte George closed out the least competitive Rising Stars game (25-14) with an open 3 off a backwards pass by San Antonio’s Stephon Castle. Team C advanced to play on Sunday in the expanded NBA All-Star tournament.
Besides setting up the Rising Stars game winner, Castle also sealed the semifinal for Team C, with a pull-up jumper from free-throw distance. In the two contests, he had 18 points on 6-of-14 shooting and added six assists, as well.
Ryan Dunn will face a familiar foe on Sunday
And punching a ticket to Sunday means Team C, that will be renamed Candance’s Rising Stars for the remainder of its All-Star tournament run, will match up against Team Shaq that features Kevin Durant.
Dunn told reporters Friday before the festivities began that having the chance to play Durant would “be like training camp.” If he checks in for the Sunday game which tips off at 7:10 MST, that extra practice with the perennial All-Star would come true.
“It’s gonna be fun, get some good bump up and down, and then hopefully end up winning that game,” Dunn said.
At the All-Star break, Dunn was averaging 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 0.9 assists over 49 games and 28 starts. His role for Phoenix (26-28) was somewhat diminished lately, playing 15 or fewer minutes over the past six games, five of which the Suns lost.
