Phoenix Suns guard Ryan Dunn put on an impressive performance, leading his team to a 117-98 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on Friday night. Dunn finished with 26 points, helping the Suns snap an eight-game losing streak in their final home game of the season.
Bradley Beal added 21 points, while Devin Booker contributed 18 as the Suns overcame a shaky start. Phoenix entered the game already eliminated from playoff contention, following a 125-112 loss to Oklahoma City earlier in the week.
The Suns, playing without key players Kevin Durant (ankle) and Nick Richards (elbow), faced early struggles against a Spurs team that hit five of nine three-pointers in the first quarter, building a 33-28 lead. The Spurs pushed their advantage to nine points midway through the second, but Phoenix responded with a 21-3 run, taking a 53-47 lead into halftime.
Phoenix continued their momentum into the third quarter, quickly building a 17-point lead in the opening minutes. By the end of the third, the Suns had pushed their lead to a commanding 92-64, allowing Beal and Booker to rest for the final quarter. Despite a brief surge from the Spurs in the fourth, Phoenix’s lead proved insurmountable.
Julian Champagnie led the Spurs with 23 points, while Sandro Mamukelashvili added 19. However, San Antonio’s defense struggled, particularly after the first quarter, leaving little room for a comeback. The Spurs, already out of playoff contention, showed promise in spurts but ultimately couldn’t overcome Phoenix’s offensive firepower.
The Suns’ victory was a welcome end to a disappointing season, one that started with high expectations but ended with numerous setbacks. Despite the tough season, the home finale gave fans something to cheer for, with a balanced scoring effort that saw key contributions from the likes of Grayson Allen (15 points) and Oso Ighodaro (6 points, 5 rebounds).
Phoenix shot 46.3% from the field and was especially effective from beyond the arc, hitting 19 of 47 three-pointers (40.4%). The Suns also controlled the boards, out-rebounding San Antonio 52-40. The Spurs, on the other hand, struggled with shooting, finishing the game with a 43.3% field goal percentage and hitting just 38.2% of their three-point attempts.
The game marked the final home appearance of the season for the Suns, who finished with a 36-45 record, while the Spurs dropped to 33-48. Both teams now look ahead to the offseason, hoping for a brighter future after challenging campaigns.
