URGENT UPDATE: In a stunning comeback, the Phoenix Suns overcame an eight-point deficit in the final minute to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-113 on Friday night, November 3, 2023. This dramatic victory marks the Suns’ seventh win in their last eight games, showcasing their resilience and tenacity.
The Timberwolves appeared poised for victory, leading 113-105 with just over a minute remaining. However, the Suns, led by backup guard Collin Gillespie, executed a breathtaking final minute that left fans and players alike in disbelief. “We’re just super competitive, winners and want to play winning basketball,” Gillespie said after the game.
With 49.3 seconds left on the clock, Suns forward Dillon Brooks missed a three-pointer, but Royce O’Neale quickly grabbed the offensive rebound and scored, narrowing the gap to 113-107. Following a crucial steal by Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin drained a three-pointer, cutting the Timberwolves’ lead to 113-110 with 43.4 seconds remaining.
In a shocking turn, the Timberwolves’ star player, Anthony Edwards, missed two free throws with just 12.7 seconds left, setting the stage for the Suns’ last chance. With Brooks and star guard Devin Booker fouled out, Gillespie seized the moment, sinking a contested jumper with 6.4 seconds on the clock, giving the Suns a 114-113 lead.
“They were talking too early and I love that, when guys get too confident,” Brooks remarked. “Once the pressure starts heating up, their eyes start getting big, they start getting scared.”
As the final buzzer sounded, Julius Randle’s last-second three-pointer missed its mark, igniting a wild celebration among the Suns as they celebrated their improbable victory. “We lost our minds,” Timberwolves coach Chris Finch lamented, pointing to poor execution and turnovers as critical factors in the game’s outcome.
Despite a challenging night for Booker, who recorded only 16 points on 4-of-18 shooting with a season-high nine turnovers, the Suns proved their mettle against a rival team that had been talking big. “Just tough, gritty, competitive, together and selfless, that’s what we’ve seen from this group from day one,” said first-year coach Jordan Ott.
With this victory, the Suns improved their record to 10-6, defying expectations set by analysts who predicted them to be one of the worst teams in the league. The Suns are building a reputation as a hard-nosed team that refuses to back down, with their latest win showcasing their ability to fight until the very end.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Suns look to continue their momentum in upcoming games. Can they maintain this level of play and challenge for higher stakes as the season progresses? Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: the Suns are not to be underestimated.
