PHOENIX — Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie had the right idea after the team’s statement win against the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, just slightly off on the timing.
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Jan 23, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the fourth quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Suns dominated the Pistons in a 114-96 victory, highlighted by guard Dillon Brooks’ career night. Brooks scored 40 points, electrifying the Mortgage Matchup Center with every bucket.
After the game, Gillespie joined Brooks during the postgame interview and issued a call to action for basketball fans.
“Tell everybody, we have two All-Stars on our team,” he said. “[Brooks is] an All-Star. So get your phones out [and] start voting.”
Jan 29, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) reacts against the Detroit Pistons in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
The only problem: All-Star voting ended on Jan. 14.
Gillespie quickly addressed the slip-up on X but doubled down on the sentiment behind the message.
Damn voting over? Smh.. they both still all stars 🤷🏻♂️
— Collin Gillespie (@Colling1021) January 30, 2026
While the timing was off, the feeling wasn’t. Despite injuries and modest preseason expectations, Phoenix has emerged as one of the more exciting teams in the NBA. Behind career performances from Brooks this season, the Suns have worked their way back into the national conversation as a playoff contender.
Jan 4, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) celebrates with teammates Devin Booker (1) and Jordan Goodwin (23) against the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Gillespie’s comments also highlighted the camaraderie the team has built throughout the year. As new pieces arrived and the franchise was in a rebuild, the Suns never embraced that narrative. Instead, the group has leaned on one another, playing with confidence and stepping up when teammates go down.
That kind of support doesn’t show up in the box score, but it matters over the course of a long season. Having each other’s backs has become a defining theme for this Phoenix team, and even a lighthearted slip-up underscored how firmly the locker room stands together.
Nov 21, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) celebrates with teammates after hitting the game-winning shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second half of an NBA Cup game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Voting may have ended, but the message was clear: the Suns value one another and believe the rest of the league should take notice.
Coming off the dominant win, Phoenix now turns its attention to Friday night’s matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 30, with tipoff set for 7 p.m.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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