3 takeaways from the Suns' final preseason game

The preseason is over. Are you sad? Want more games that don't count? Well, it's a shame. Preseason is the purgatory it must feel like. The constant anticipation of bigger things to come without any satisfaction. So close and yet so far.

Five games simply weren't enough for the Phoenix Suns. No, they had to play a 21st quarter as the team allowed a 9-point lead in the fourth fadeaway and was forced to play basketball in overtime. The result? After being outscored 15-9 in the post game, Phoenix lost to Los Angeles 128-122. It's a good thing you didn't count that, otherwise it would be central.

I've said it all preseason, and this is the last time I'll say it: Just because the game didn't count doesn't mean it didn't matter. The final preseason game was the dress rehearsal for the start of the regular season, which is less than a week away. Ah… heaven.

Kevin Durant played 31 minutes, Beal played 30 and Booke logged 28. That was so close to not counting. “We were hoping the guys would be up for about 30 minutes,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after the game. “I was hoping they could play some minutes in the fourth quarter, so I think that was very close to what we were hoping for. I think at that 30-minute mark these guys are getting up and starting to prepare for the regular season and what’s to come.”

So what are the takeaways from last night? Was the eyebrow raised, even if only slightly?

Welcome back, Nurk Daddy

The most important thing I can see going into this game is how Nurkic looked. He hasn't had a single minute of play in the preseason, and considering that the Suns are using a new offensive system that is designed to keep players open for threes, the question arises as to whether and could Nurkic feel comfortable playing a stretched five-pointer at times play?

The stat line? 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting, including 2 of 4 from distance, plus 7 rebounds. He made a solid impression offensively.

“I mean, he looks great, he seems to be midseason,” Devin Booker said after the loss. “He moves and shoots the ball. We are happy to have him back. I think it opens up a lot of lanes. I think it pulls the other big factor, rim protection, away from the tire.”

When asked about the spacing on the pitch, Nurkic said: “I think it's good. Especially with Bud, coaches and players. They really give me the full confidence to shoot as many threes as I want from a distance standpoint. Like I said, my goal was just to be out there and try to play the game.”

“He played like the Nurk I saw in the movies all summer,” Budenholzer added.

Defensively, Nurkic looked a little slow, and when you go up against a second-team All-NBA center like Anthony Davis, that becomes apparent. Davis scored 35 points (on an incredible 28 shots) and grabbed 10 rebounds. At this point, it feels like an annual tradition: The Suns face the Lakers in preseason and Anthony Davis dominates Nurkic.

But overall the returns have certainly been positive.

The Growth of Ryan Dunn

There will be ups and downs for young rookie Ryan Dunn. He is not a seasoned veteran. He is the 28th pick overall in the draft. We've been impressed with his shooting and defense so far, but every game will be a learning experience for him.

Last night, Dunn learned that the whistle isn't always friendly in the NBA.

Dunn played 20 minutes last night, and although he seemed more passive offensively in the game with Durant, Booker and Beal (he was 1 of 4 from the field and 1 of 3 from deep, which only accounted for 3 points) – He was every Case aggressive in defense. Damn, he fouled out of the game. His foul rate was 10.8 per 36.

You could see his frustration when the whistles came.

Dunn has active, instinctive hands that constantly poke and prod the ball. Looking at the six fouls he was given, you might think that some of them were delicate matters.

Foul 1: Ryan guards Jaxson Haynes (good job, right?) and gets to the weak side to block D'Angelo Russell's shot. It works as D'Lo passes out of his drive to a cutting Anthony Davis. Dunn, because he is such a ball hawk, adjusts to the pass, goes vertical and blocks AD. But a whistle sounds.

Foul 2: Dunn is now on Reaves and as Cam Reddish comes off a screen, he puts his hand in the cookie jar as required for the foul. From another angle it might have been a clean streak, but the whistle was unkind to Dunn for foul two.

Foul 3: Dunn guards Raves again and strips him as he drives into the paint. Looks like a pretty clean strip, but Reaves tilts his head back and lets his emo hair blow in the wind, causing the officials to get a little emotional too.

Foul 4: Dunn now guards D'Lo and fights through a screen from Davis. Hello, whistle my old friend…

Foul 5: Oh, now he's on Davis? Damn, this guy is versatile. AD tries to hold him back, but Dunn won't let him beat him up. Impressive. He forces him into a fadeaway jumper and must have hit him on the wrist because as the ball goes through the net, a whistle sounds.

Foul 6: A minute later, Dunn is caught when Russell uses the “old Chris Paul” rip-through trick. Time for the pine, tower.

Last night was definitely a “welcome to the NBA, rookie” moment for Dunn. He played aggressively, which is exactly what you want, but he needs to hone his sense of what gets a whistle and what doesn't. But what struck me most was his passion. After a frustrating phone call, he went to the bank where the experienced Royce O'Neale gave him advice. A great moment of mentorship.

Tough night for Bradley Beal

Not every night is a win, and one player you'll want to have a good game is Bradley Beal. As an X-factor, his performance could have a direct impact on the team's success. He needs to step up as a third option, and if he does, Phoenix has the potential to be unstoppable.

But last night was tough for Beal. He shot just 4 of 15 from the field, went 1 of 6 from distance and posted a -10 +/-. He looked uncomfortable throughout the game.

His frenetic, jerky style of play worried me. The kind of moves he made could lead to injury. To make matters worse, he was involved in a play where a defender landed in his court on a three-point attempt, resulting in a flagrant foul. It reminded me of the Donte DiVincenzo incident last season that had Beal sidelined for games. I'm just relieved that he escaped unscathed this time.

He wasn't blocked defensively either.

That's what the preseason is for. Get these out of the system. But please stay safe, Brad!

And so it's over.

The preseason is over and fans are looking forward to the start of the regular season. Next Wednesday, the Suns travel to the City of Angels where they begin their campaign against the Clippers. This clash will be crucial as it sets the tone for the coming season. Just two days later they face the Lakers again. Will Fal Out Boy be repeated in Austin Reaves? Tune in to find out…