UPDATE: In a jaw-dropping finish, the Phoenix Suns rallied from an eight-point deficit in the final minute to stun the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-113 on November 3, 2023. This remarkable comeback marks the Suns’ seventh victory in their last eight games, solidifying their status as a surprising contender in the NBA this season.
With just under a minute remaining, the Timberwolves held a commanding 113-105 lead, seemingly in control of the game. However, the Suns showcased their resilience and determination in a thrilling finish. Backup guard Collin Gillespie hit a clutch jumper with only 6.4 seconds left to secure the lead, sending shockwaves through the arena.
The dramatic sequence began when the Timberwolves’ Donte DiVincenzo made a free throw, extending the lead. But the Suns fought back, as Dillon Brooks missed a three-pointer, only for Royce O’Neale to grab the offensive rebound and score, cutting the deficit to 113-107 with 49.3 seconds left. Gillespie then stole the in-bounds pass, leading to a crucial three-pointer from Jordan Goodwin that further narrowed the gap to 113-110.
“We’re just super competitive, winners, and want to play winning basketball,” Gillespie stated after the game. “You saw that at the end. Just no quit. Fight until there’s no time left.”
In a chaotic final minute, the Timberwolves struggled with execution, as coach Chris Finch lamented, “We lost our minds. Poor execution, turnovers, obviously, and just didn’t stay locked-in during the last 90 seconds.” The Suns capitalized, with Brooks stealing a pass and Goodwin making a quick layup to make it 113-112 with just 21.4 seconds on the clock.
With the pressure mounting, Timberwolves star Anthony Edwards missed two critical free throws, setting the stage for the Suns’ final possession. With both Brooks and star guard Devin Booker fouled out, Gillespie took the reins and executed flawlessly, hitting a contested jumper to take the lead at 114-113.
As the buzzer sounded, Julius Randle‘s last-second three-pointer missed, igniting a frenzied celebration among the Suns players. Brooks remarked, “The person who was talking too much had two turnovers and missed a shot. We don’t give up. Anything’s possible in this league to win games and lose games.”
Despite a challenging night for Booker, who recorded just 16 points on 4-of-18 shooting and a season-high nine turnovers, the Suns demonstrated their grit and teamwork. First-year coach Jordan Ott praised his team’s toughness, stating, “Just tough, gritty, competitive, together and selfless… Whatever it takes, just find a way to outscore the opponent.”
The Suns, initially predicted to struggle this season, now boast a surprising 10-6 record, challenging expectations and establishing themselves as a force in the Western Conference. As they continue to build momentum, NBA fans will be watching closely—this team is proving to be much more than just a footnote this season.
Be sure to stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as the Suns continue their journey through the NBA season.