Former fifth overall pick Kris Dunn made his 2022-23 debut with the Utah Jazz on Thursday, tallying 11 points (on 50.0 percent shooting) and two steals in 17 minutes. Signed to a 10-day contract along with fellow veteran guard Frank Jackson, the 28-year-old impressed on both ends, making an early impression on a franchise that could choose to sign him for the remainder of the season or longer.

Following the game, a 120-119 overtime victory for Utah, Jazz head coach Will Hardy would tell reporters that “it's hard to do what he just did.”

“He doesn't really know the guys. 
 It speaks to his ability to be a pro and go out there and adapt.”

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Dunn is a gifted defender with impressive physique as an athletic 6-foot-3, 205 pound point guard. Though not particularly shifty, hes a high-level ball-handler who can get into the lane with ease. Using his strength, he can often get a floater off against tough defenses. Such was the case on Friday, as Dunn played the second-most minutes of any player in the second unit, only behind rookie wing Ochai Agbaji.

He did, however, go 1-4 from 3-point range. His struggles shooting from deep have been the primary reason he has had trouble sticking on a roster despite having multiple attributes you would want in a player. However, for a team that is missing the defensive prowess and playmaking ability of Mike Conley Jr., Dunn provides a lot of what Conley could bring regardless.

As the Jazz are currently in the playoff hunt, Dunn's defense could be particularly useful in the postseason.