A two-way player who has bounced between the Valley Suns and the NBA club, guard Collin Gillespie’s role varies dramatically.
In the G League, Gillespie is the team’s second-leading scorer (21.2 points) and has the highest usage rate on the team at 26.2%.
But his NBA opportunities have been limited. He’s averaging just 6.5 minutes per in 13 games this season.
That’s what made his performance on Wednesday night in the Phoenix Suns’ comeback victory over the Los Angeles Clippers even more unexpected.
Gillespie scored all of his 10 points in the fourth quarter while adding in three assists and two rebounds in 15 total minutes.
He hit the biggest shot of his NBA career, a crucial 3-pointer, extending the Suns’ lead to 119-114 with 36.1 seconds remaining in the game.
“I’ve always loved how confident (he is) … he’s poised and he’s a dog,” Suns forward Kevin Durant said after the game. “He was the loudest in the locker room after last game (a 116-98 loss Sunday to Minnesota). He didn’t even contribute a minute to that disaster. And he came out and he was pissed off after the game last game. So you can tell when he had another opportunity, he was going to make the most out of it and go out there and play his game. Every time he steps out on the floor, he’s been doing that, even in the G (League).
“In the G, he’s just dominant, but up here he comes in here and leaves a mark and plays extremely hard. I love playing with him. So hopefully he can build on this and get more consistent minutes after this and help us out a little bit. Coach made a great adjustment throwing him in there.”
Collin Gillespie scored 10 PTS in the Suns' MASSIVE 4Q comeback, including this triple to ice it 🧊🧊
Phoenix rides a 43-22 fourth to victory! pic.twitter.com/cHzoU15odA
— NBA (@NBA) March 5, 2025
Despite missing two months due to a fractured right ankle on Nov. 9, Gillespie picked up right where he left off when he returned.
He’s been putting up near triple-double numbers since his return in 10 G League games, averaging 21.2 points, 11.1 assists, 7.5 rebounds and 1.9 steals.
Collin Gillespie’s big night for the Suns against the Clippers
Gillespie played the final 14:39 of the game Tuesday, taking his first shot at the 8:49 mark of the fourth quarter. He finished 4-of-6 from the field and 2-of-3 from three, tallying 10 points.
The Suns were as down as many as 23 points and entered the fourth quarter with a 19-point deficit to overcome, and Gillespie’s role in the rally was undeniable.
“I mean, I think it starts with Collin’s defense,” head coach Mike Budenholzer. “I think he brings a little bit of an edge …if we look at the filmI feel like there’s a couple instanceswhere he’s tapping or getting balls. And then I thought he was aggressive getting to the basket.
“He took advantage of opportunities to go downhill, had a couple layupsand then obviously the big three late. He really came through when we needed him.”
Gillespie led the team in plus-minus, finishing with a +21 rating. He provided the energy and spark that the team had been lacking for much of the game.
When asked about a play in which he patiently prodded the defense before blowing by James Harden for a layup, Gillespie explained:
"LOOKIN' LIKE STEVE NASH OUT HERE" 🗣️
Collin Gillespie's making an IMPACT for Phoenix! pic.twitter.com/piJHqf29Nr
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 5, 2025
“Yeah, I mean it’s just a feel thing,” Gillespie said. “Getting used to playing with (Durant and Booker), obviously they’re very good basketball players, so they’re going to get denied by everybody else. So just got to pick spots to be aggressive, whento attack, when to find them and get into certain actions, but yeah, I was just dribbling around for a little bit and then I was like, ‘all right.'”
The 15 minutes Gillespie logged in Wednesday night’s game tied for the second-most minutes he has played in an NBA game this season.