Suns forward Ryan Dunn has extra interest in Spurs-Knicks NBA Finals

Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn’s interest in the NBA Finals goes beyond the series itself.

He’s from New York, the state.

The third-seeded Knicks can win their first NBA championship since 1973 with a Game 5 road victory June 13 against the San Antonio Spurs.

“I kind of have a little favor for them, but I’m just watching as a student of the game,” said Dunn in a media scrum June 12. “More mostly seeing what they’re doing, what the physicality is. Just trying to take ways of how San Antonio and how the Knicks are playing and trying to learn how that intensity not only in the finals, but just in the whole playoffs.”

“Have a little favor for them, but I’m just watching as a student of the game.”

Suns forward Ryan Dunn on NBA Finals as Knicks have a 3-1 lead on Spurs.

Dunn was born in New Hyde Park, N.Y.

“I hope they close it out on Saturday.”

Suns went 2-0 vs. Knicks this season. #Sunspic.twitter.com/t7piyKNGXJ

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) June 12, 2026

The second-seeded Spurs can extend the series with a win and force a Game 6 June 16 at Madison Square Garden. If necessary, Game 7 is scheduled for June 19 in San Antonio.

“I hope they close it out on Saturday, but I can’t wait to see more basketball from them,” Dunn added.

Phoenix swept the home-away series over the Knicks in its surprising 45-win season that ended with a first-round loss to then-defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

Dunn has since reflected on the season as the Suns won just 36 games his rookie year in 2024-25.

“As a team, we exceeded expectations,” Dunn said. “Going into this offseason now, it’s trying to do the same thing, maybe even a little better. Not focusing on what the outside noise is saying. Focus on how individually we can get better. For me, it was going back and seeing what I’ve done well, what I can improve on. That’s kind of my whole focus this offseason. Trying to improve in areas I know need to be better at.”

“They love being with kids.”

Sarah Krahenbuhl, Executive Director, Phoenix Suns/Mercury Foundation as Ryan Dunn attended their youth camp Friday at ALA Gilbert North.

Next week: ALA Gilbert North.
Week after: Thunderbird High.

Registration: https://t.co/8EeImpD6JN#Sunspic.twitter.com/j606dJVQVS

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) June 12, 2026

Dunn is taking time to relax, too.

 The 6-foot-8-inch forward spent June 12 at the organization’s youth basketball camp at ALA Gilbert North as he signed autographs and interacted with the kids.

“That’s exactly why I do it, I was one of them back home in New York,” Dunn said. “I remember Tobias Harris would come to the camps and I was so excited to see him, being a kid that wanted to dream where he is.”

Now playing for the Detroit Pistons, Harris is from Islip, N.Y.

“To have the opportunity to come back in here and give back to the kids is what I do it for, the next generation of kids coming up,” Dunn continued. “They aspire to be us.”

The Suns continue their camp at ALA Gilbert next week and it concludes the week after that at Thunderbird High School in Phoenix.

“This is really great of us,” said Sarah Krahenbuhl, executive director, Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation. “It’s all across the Valley. We have more than 1,100 kids that come out in a month and our players love coming out. This is really where their passion lies.”

Dunn has established a checklist for improvement going into his third NBA season after averaging 5.8 points on 45.3% shooting and 4.2 rebounds in 70 games.

Team Orange wins championship game at Phoenix Suns youth basketball camp Friday at American Leadership Academy, Gilbert North.

Celebration incoming. #Sunshttps://t.co/NLIOLN5lKSpic.twitter.com/ZxfuhX8oY9

— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) June 12, 2026

“For me, reading the game a little better,” Dunn said. “Playing more aggressive, being more physical. Being able to make plays defensively, watching more film on guys. Defending without fouling. Just the whole game in general.”

Dunn improved on his 3 from his rookie year, shooting 33.1% after connecting on 31.1% in 2024-25.

“Obviously shooting, getting better at that, being more consistent there, but just playing, getting a better feel for the game and expanding on all aspects,” Dunn added.

Dunn said he and head coach Jordan Ott have had offseason conversations about what’s next for the athletic forward.

“He gave us some time off, but we came back in the gym and talked about different areas to improve that he’s seeing, that we see and we just come up with a plan throughout the whole season and the offseason and get better in each of those aspects,” Dunn said.

“He’s transparent with us in every way, which I appreciate. He’s in the gym working with us, teaching us, giving us tips as well. A guy with his background and what he’s done in this league, is someone you have to respect and as our coach, you believe in him.”

Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-810-5518. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn has improvement checklist for Year 3