{"id":127009,"date":"2025-03-05T09:52:14","date_gmt":"2025-03-05T14:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/?p=127009"},"modified":"2025-03-05T09:52:14","modified_gmt":"2025-03-05T14:52:14","slug":"suns-unlikely-hero-collin-gillespie","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2025\/03\/05\/suns-unlikely-hero-collin-gillespie\/","title":{"rendered":"Suns Turn to Unlikely Hero in Fourth Quarter Comeback"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Phoenix Suns<\/a> do not have many NBA champions on their roster, but two-way player Collin Gillespie<\/a> is one of them. The former Denver Nuggets<\/a> man has spent most of the season either on the sidelines injured, or with the team\u2019s G-League affiliate, Valley Suns. But on Tuesday night he was at the heart of a 23-point<\/a> comeback for the Suns against the LA Clippers<\/a>, keeping their season alive, which was hanging by a thread.<\/p>\n

Gillespie, alongside Kevin Durant<\/a>, fueled an incredible fourth quarter resurgence, which saw the Suns overturn a 19-point deficit to win 119-117. It is an unlikely duo, but one Suns fans will be desperate to see going forward. In a side devoid of effort, energy and good-feeling, the 25-year-old guard provided guts, desire and leadership through example for a team filled with established veterans.<\/p>\n

Suns Turn to Unlikely Hero in Fourth Quarter Comeback<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Gillespie and Durant Led the Way For Suns<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Heading into the depths of the third quarter, it was looking like another in a long list of disastrous performances for the Suns. The home crowd\u2019s boos were prominent, and TNT announcer Stan Van Gundy called their defense \u2018pathetic\u2019<\/a>. Everything was too easy for the Clippers. Through three quarters, Ivica Zubac<\/a> had 25 points\u2013ultimately ending on 35\u2013and there was absolutely no resistance in the paint or on the perimeter. Their opponents were getting anything they wanted. Sloppy turnovers have been a story of the Suns season, and despite a vocal insistence on wanting to get better, their actions on the court suggested otherwise.<\/p>\n

But in a final move of desperation, head coach Mike Budenholzer<\/a> turned to Gillespie, who had previously appeared in just 11 games<\/a> and averaged 6.1 minutes. It was an attempt to inject some youthful exuberance, and it was a decision that well and truly paid off. Gillespie scored 10 points, also providing three assists and two rebounds. His effort on the boards was particularly crucial, especially as the clock winded down.<\/p>\n

He showed off his offensive prowess, both in his drives and probing of the defense, channeling his inner Steve Nash<\/a>. The guard proved he was not afraid of the moment, knocking down a three-point dagger to make it a five-point lead with less than a minute to go. Durant scored 19 of his 34 points in the final period, joining Gillespie as the catalyst for the Suns\u2019 comeback and potential salvaging of their season.<\/p>\n

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"LOOKIN' LIKE STEVE NASH OUT HERE" \ud83d\udde3\ufe0f<\/p>\n

Collin Gillespie's making an IMPACT for Phoenix! pic.twitter.com\/piJHqf29Nr<\/a><\/p>\n

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 5, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n