Suns Shock Timberwolves With 49-2nd Comeback 114-113 Win/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Phoenix Suns erased an eight-point deficit in under 50 seconds to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-113. Third-year guard Collin Gillespie nailed the game-winner with 6.4 seconds left in a jaw-dropping finish. The win highlights Phoenix’s gritty rise this season despite low expectations.
Suns Last-Minute Comeback Quick Looks
- Incredible Rally: Suns erased 8-point deficit in 49.3 seconds.
- Game-Winner: Collin Gillespie hits clutch jumper with 6.4 seconds left.
- Turnovers Cost Wolves: Two key steals helped spark Phoenix’s run.
- Booker Fouled Out: Suns win despite off night from star guard.
- Unexpected Heroes: Phoenix’s bench leads late-game surge.
- Suns Rising: Now 10-6, defying preseason expectations.
Suns Shock Timberwolves With 49-2nd Comeback 114-113 Win
Deep Look
With less than a minute left on the clock, the Minnesota Timberwolves led by eight and were confidently jawing at their Western Conference rivals. But what unfolded in Phoenix on Friday night was nothing short of stunning—a comeback for the ages that flipped the script in just 49.3 seconds.
The Phoenix Suns, led by unlikely heroes and grit over glamor, rallied from a 113-105 deficit to steal a 114-113 victory. At the center of it all was backup guard Collin Gillespie, who sank the go-ahead jumper with just 6.4 seconds remaining, completing a wild turnaround and delivering the Suns their seventh win in eight games.
The Final Minute: Chaos, Hustle, and Heart
It began with Donte DiVincenzo’s free throw that pushed the Wolves ahead by eight with just 69 seconds left. Phoenix responded with a missed three from Dillon Brooks, but Royce O’Neale grabbed the offensive rebound and scored, cutting it to 113-107 with 49.3 seconds left.
Just seconds later, Gillespie came up with a crucial steal on the inbounds pass, finding Brooks who kicked it out to Jordan Goodwin. Goodwin’s three-pointer brought the Suns within three, 113-110, with 43.4 seconds to play.
Phoenix wasn’t finished. Brooks intercepted a pass from Julius Randle, setting up another quick bucket by Goodwin. Suddenly, the score was 113-112 with 21.4 seconds left, and the Timberwolves—who had been confidently chirping moments earlier—were unraveling.
Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards stepped to the line with 12.7 seconds left and a chance to stabilize the game, but he missed both free throws. That gave Phoenix one final shot.
Gillespie Seals It
With Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks both fouled out, the Suns turned to Collin Gillespie. The unheralded third-year guard out of Villanova took the reins, rising for a contested mid-range jumper with 6.4 seconds remaining. He buried it.
On the other end, Randle had a chance to redeem himself, but his last-second three was off the mark. As the buzzer sounded, Suns players rushed the court to mob Gillespie—the man who had just authored one of the most unlikely finishes of the NBA season.
“The person (Randle) who was talking too much had two turnovers — and missed a shot,” said Brooks postgame. “We don’t give up. Anything’s possible in this league to win games and lose games.”
Booker’s Struggles Don’t Stop Phoenix
Remarkably, Phoenix pulled off the win despite a forgettable night from their star. Devin Booker finished with just 16 points on 4-of-18 shooting and committed a season-high nine turnovers before fouling out. Yet, his teammates refused to fold.
Head coach Jordan Ott, in his first year at the helm, praised his team’s perseverance: “Just tough, gritty, competitive, together and selfless—that’s what we’ve seen from this group from day one. Whatever it takes, whenever it takes, whoever is out there—just find a way to outscore the opponent.”
Underdogs Rising
The Suns entered the season with little national buzz, expected by many analysts to finish in the bottom tier of the NBA standings. Instead, they now sit at 10-6, winning with a blend of hustle, defensive tenacity, and unselfish play.
While the stars weren’t shining Friday night, the role players stepped up in the game’s biggest moments. Gillespie’s composure and Goodwin’s scoring surge under pressure underscored the depth and determination of this Phoenix squad.
As for the Timberwolves, the collapse was swift and shocking.
Head coach Chris Finch didn’t mince words: “We lost our minds—poor execution, turnovers, obviously, and just didn’t stay locked-in during the last 90 seconds.”
Phoenix’s comeback wasn’t just a win. It was a statement. Against all odds, this team keeps finding ways to rise—and if this game is any indicator, they’re only just getting started.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.