The Phoenix Suns suffered a narrow 125–123 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday night, and the game has sparked fresh discussion about guard Collin Gillespie’s role in the starting lineup.
Gillespie has been one of the biggest surprises for Phoenix this season. The third-year guard worked his way from a two-way contract to becoming a regular starter on a team pushing toward a playoff berth. However, his performance against Denver and the possible return of injured teammates have raised questions about whether he will keep his place in the starting five.
Game Performance vs Nuggets
| Player | Collin Gillespie |
|---|---|
| Team | Phoenix Suns |
| Opponent | Denver Nuggets |
| Final Score | Suns 123 – Nuggets 125 |
Gillespie started the game strongly and quickly became one of the Suns’ most active offensive players in the opening minutes.
First Quarter Impact
| Statistic | First Quarter |
|---|---|
| Points | 8 |
| Team Points Contribution | 8 of first 13 |
Early in the game, Gillespie scored eight of Phoenix’s first thirteen points. His quick scoring start suggested he might be headed for a big night on national television.
However, the momentum did not continue.
Overall Game Struggles
| Category | Performance |
|---|---|
| Total Points After First Quarter | 3 |
| Field Goal Shooting | 1-of-7 |
| Second Half Minutes | 11.5 |
| Second Half Points | 1 |
After his strong opening stretch, Gillespie struggled offensively for the remainder of the game. Over the final 44 minutes he scored only three points and had limited impact in the second half.
Phoenix coach Jordan Ott also reduced his playing time later in the game, which allowed other players to handle more of the offense.
Also see: Jalen Green Shines for Suns With Strong First Half vs Nuggets
Strong Form Before Nuggets Game
Despite the difficult outing, Gillespie had been playing some of his best basketball in recent games.
| Category | Last 4 Games Average |
|---|---|
| Minutes | 31.5 |
| Points | 17.5 |
| Assists | 5.5 |
| Rebounds | 3.5 |
| FG Percentage | 47.9% |
| 3PT Percentage | 45.9% |
These numbers helped strengthen his case as one of the most improved players on the Suns roster this season.
Suns Injury Situation
Gillespie’s rise into the starting lineup came during a stretch when Phoenix was dealing with several injuries.
| Player | Status |
|---|---|
| Jalen Green | Missed large portion of early season |
| Grayson Allen | In and out of lineup |
| Dillon Brooks | Recently sidelined |
| Mark Williams | Recently sidelined |
Because of those injuries, Gillespie became a consistent starter starting in late November.
Team Record With Gillespie Starting
| Role | Record |
|---|---|
| Bench Role (First 18 Games) | 11-7 |
| Starting Lineup | 29-24 |
Since entering the starting lineup, Gillespie has played an important role in Phoenix’s rotation and team identity.
Potential Starting Lineup Changes
When the Suns are fully healthy, the coaching staff has previously preferred a different starting unit.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Guard | Devin Booker |
| Guard | Jalen Green |
| Forward | Royce O’Neale |
| Center | Mark Williams |
| Forward | Dillon Brooks |
That lineup focuses more on defensive size and versatility.
A smaller three-guard combination of Booker, Green and Gillespie can create defensive mismatches against larger teams. This concern was evident against Denver, where Gillespie’s minutes were limited in the second half.
Grayson Allen’s Role in Second Half
| Player | Role |
|---|---|
| Grayson Allen | Took over ballhandling duties |
Allen handled much of the offense during the second half, which further reduced Gillespie’s involvement late in the game.
Decision Ahead for Suns Coaching Staff
With nine games remaining in the regular season, head coach Jordan Ott will need to evaluate how the team’s rotation should look heading into the postseason.
Regardless of whether he remains in the starting lineup or moves back to the bench, Gillespie has already proven his value to the team.
His ability to score, facilitate offense and step into a larger role during a difficult injury stretch has made him a key part of the Suns roster as they prepare for the final push toward the playoffs.
