The preseason is over. Are you sad? Want more games that don’t count? Well, too bad. Preseason is what purgatory must feel like. The constant teasing of bigger things to come, without any satisfaction. So close and yet so far.

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

I’ve said it all preseason, and this is the last time I’ll do it: just because the game didn’t count doesn’t mean it didn’t matter. The last game of the preseason was the dress rehearsal for the start of the regular season, which takes place in less than a week. Oh…heaven.

Kevin Durant played 31 minutes, Beal played 30 minutes and Booke logged 28 minutes. This was so close to counting without counting. “We were hoping to get the guys ahead for about 30 minutes,” Suns coach Mike Budenholzer said after the game. “I was hoping they would play a few minutes in the fourth quarter, so I think that was very close to what we were hoping for. I think after those thirty minutes those guys need to get up and prepare for the regular season and what’s to come.”

So what are the conclusions from last night? Was the eyebrow raised, even just a little?

Welcome back Nurk daddy

For me, the most important thing to look at going into this game is how Nurkic looked. He had yet to log a minute of playing time in the preseason, and given that the Suns are using a new offensive system designed to open players up for three-pointers, would and could Nurkic find the comfort of being a stretch five at times?

The statistic? 15 points on 6-for-11 shooting, including 2-for-4 from deep, plus 7 rebounds. Offensively he looked solid.

“I mean, he looks in great shape, he looks in midseason form,” Devin Booker said after the loss. “He moves and shoots the ball. We’re glad he’s back. I think it will open up a lot of lanes. I think it pulls the other big one, the rim protector, away from the hoop.

When asked about the distance on the field, Nurkic said: “I think it’s good. Especially with Bud, coaches and players. They really give me complete confidence to shoot as many threes as I want, distance-wise. Like I said, my goal was just to be there and try to play the game.

“He played like the Nurk I saw on film all summer,” Budenholzer added.

Defensively, Nurkic looked a step slow, and playing against a second-team All-NBA center like Anthony Davis shows that. Davis scored 35 points (on a wild 28 shots) and grabbed 10 rebounds. It feels like an annual tradition at this point: the Suns face the Lakers in the preseason and Anthony Davis dominates Nurkic.

But overall, the returns were certainly positive.

Ryan Dunn’s growth

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

Last night, Dunn discovered that the whistle in the NBA isn’t always kind.

Dunn played 20 minutes last night, and while he seemed more passive offensively playing with Durant, Booker, and Beal — he was 1-of-4 from the field and 1-of-3 from deep, good for just 3 points) — he was certainly aggressive in defense. Heck, he fouled out of the game. His error rate was 10.8 per-36.

You could see his frustration as whistles came in.

Dunn has active, instinctive hands, constantly poking and prodding the ball. If you look at the six fouls called on him, you could say a few of them were a cinch.

Mistake 1: Ryan guards Jaxson Haynes (nice assignment, huh?) and gets to the weak side to deter D’Angelo Russell’s shot. It works, as D’Lo leaves his driveway to a slashing Anthony Davis. Dunn, being such a ball hawk, adjusts to the pass, goes vertical and blocks AD. But there comes a whistle.

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

Mistake 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, prompting the officials to get somewhat emotional as well.

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

Mistake 5: Oh, now he’s on Davis? Damn, this guy is versatile. AD tries to stop him, but Dunn won’t let him down. Impressive. He forces him into a fadeaway jumper and he must have hit him on the wrist because a whistle blows as the ball goes through the net.

Mistake 6: A minute later, Dunn is caught with Russell pulling the old Chris Paul trick on him. Time for the den, 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’ll have to refine his instincts on what will and won’t whistle. What struck me most, however, was his passion. After a frustrating phone call, he went to the bench, where veteran Royce O’Neale offered advice. A great moment of mentorship.

Tough night for Bradley Beal

Not every night is a win, and one player you want to see have a good game is Bradley Beal. As an x-factor, his performance can directly impact the team’s success. As a third option, he will have to step up, 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 deep and posted a -10 in the +/-. He seemed out of sorts the entire game.

His frantic, choppy playing style worried me. The kind of moves he made could lead to injuries. To make matters worse, he was involved in a play where a defender ended up in his box on a three-point attempt, resulting in a flagrant foul. It reminded me of the Donte DiVincenzo incident last season that left Beal sidelined for games. I’m just relieved he walked away unscathed this time.

He was also not locked down defensively.

That’s what preseason is for. Remove this from the system. But stay healthy while you do it, please Brad!

And just like that it’s over.

Preseason is over and fans are eager for the regular season to begin. Next Wednesday, the Suns head to the City of Angels, where they kick off their campaign against the Clippers. This match will be crucial as it sets the tone for the coming season. Just two days later, they face the Lakers again. Will Austin Reaves have Fal Out Boy on repeat? Tune in to find out…