The Phoenix Suns survived the Minnesota Timberwolves after being down by eight points with just less than a minute to play. Despite Jalen Green and Grayson Allen’s absence, topped with Devin Booker’s horrific shooting game, the Suns came up clutch in the final moments, all thanks to the most surprising performer of the night–the undrafted guard, Collin Gillespie.
Gillespie Saves the Day
Phoenix had the upperhand throughout regulation and even had an 18-point cushion at one point. All the while, the Timberwolves’ offense sparked in the third quarter and went on an insane spree.
In the final minute of their NBA Cup matchup, the Wolves were already leading by eight, 113-105, and with Devin Booker fouling out early, it seems that they already had this win in the books. However, the Suns were still very much alive and scored nine straight points in 45 seconds, including a game-winning floater from Gillespie to seal the deal, 114-113. Gillespie finished the game with 20 points on 4-for-7 from three, 7 rebounds, and a +14 on box plus-minus. The 26-year-old point guard was everywhere on the floor. He was shooting lights out from deep, dishing the ball to open teammates, and making passing lanes difficult for the Wolves. Although the box score says he recorded only 2 steals, Gillespie was actually actively picking pockets and diving for looseballs every chance he got.
Once again, Dillon Brooks, dubbed as the NBA’s heel, made another huge impact by putting up 22 points. On the other hand, Mark Williams and Royce O’Neale were noticeably hustling and scrapping for every opportunity, giving 19 and 16 points, respectively. Meanwhile, D-Book was ice cold, chipping in 16 points on 4-for-18 from the field. Phoenix now improved their record to 10-6.
It was such an unexpected comeback by the Suns and an epic collapse from the Timberwolves, especially Anthony Edwards, who missed two much-needed free throws that would have put them ahead. Despite the loss, Ant-Man ties his season-high in points after a 41-point outburst in Arizona.
Collin Gillespie in Talks for Most Improved Player of the Year
After stunning the crowd with a game-winner and an overall solid performance on Saturday, Gillespie is getting the recognition and fans already want him in the Most Improved Player of the Year discussion.
The former Villanova standout and 2021 Big East Player of the Year went undrafted in 2022 but was given a two-way contract by the Denver Nuggets. Although he would technically be part of that 2023 championship team, Gillespie would only make his debut in the 2023-2024 season where he averaged 3.6 points and 1.1 assists per game. Eventually, he would find his place in Phoenix as he dons the purple and orange, but still had limited time on the field.
This season, the Suns’ coaching staff decided to give Gillespie more playing time (which was evident in their game against the Timberwolves), bumping Gillespie’s averages to 10.5 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game in 24 minutes. Overall, Collin Gillespie might turn out to be another diamond in the rough–an undrafted player who might make a difference in the new-look Phoenix Suns.
