PHOENIX – The Phoenix Suns have found a gem in guard Collin Gillespie. From a two-way contract to being a starter on a team steaming ahead for a playoff berth, and one of the candidates for Most Improved. The third-year guards story is heartwarming and looked to be continuing after a hot start in the first quarter vs. the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Gillespie scored eight of the team’s first 13 points and looked prime for a career night on national television. However, he would only score three points in the final 44 minutes and go one-of-seven from the field. A rough night on top of the 125-123 loss to his former team.
With starters like Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams ramping up for a return, is Gillespie in jeopardy of losing starting spot despite recent four game stretch?
Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) drives against Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. (5) during a game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on March 21, 2026.
Gillespie’s last four games before Nuggets game:
- 31.5 MPG
- 17.5 PPG
- 5.5 APG
- 3.5 RPG
- 47.9%/45.9% from 3 on 9.3 attempts
Mar 21, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) shoots against the Milwaukee Bucks during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The answer seems obvious. Gillespie has been the starter since the end of November. However, Phoenix hasn’t been healthy at all during that span. Jalen Green essentially missed the first four months of the season, Grayson Allen has been in and out of the lineup, while Dillon Brooks and Mark Williams have recently missed the last month of the season.
When the Suns were relatively healthy, Gillespie came off the bench for the first 18 games of the season. The franchise started 11-7, with the 26-year-old in the sixth man role. Since his placement in the starting lineup, Phoenix is 29-24 with him being a major part of the team’s identity.
Feb 22, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) against the Portland Trail Blazers at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
It is unclear when Williams and Brooks return that he will maintain that starting role. Head coach Jordan Ott has had a preference of the Devin Booker, Jalen Green, Royce O’Neale, Mark Williams and Dillon Brooks starting five at the beginning of the season. The three guard lineup of Booker, Green and Gillespie could get picked defensively by smart teams like Denver, which is why Ott elected to limit the 6’1 guard’s minutes after halftime.
Only 11.5 minutes in the second half, where he scored one point on zero-of-two shooting and record one assist. Grayson Allen took the mantle of the team’s ballhandling in the second half, putting Gillespie on the back burner. That could be a sign of what is to come once the team is healthy.
Regardless starting or coming off the bench, Gillespie would remain a massive part of the team’s rotation. A decision will need to be made in the final nine games by Ott. Gillespie has done the work, but it might not be enough, despite his recent success.
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Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
