With 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, it looked like the Phoenix Suns had this one in the bag. Collin Gillespie knocked down a three to stretch the lead to 14, and the Golden State Warriors-already down Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler-seemed headed for their sixth loss in nine games.
But this Warriors team? They weren’t done.
Al Horford, the 37-year-old veteran who’s made a career out of doing the dirty work, sparked a furious rally. Golden State closed the game on a 16-2 run, flipping the script and walking out of Phoenix with a gritty 101-97 win that felt like a statement.
Horford came off the bench and delivered when it mattered most, scoring seven of his 13 points in the fourth quarter. His steady presence and timely buckets helped the Warriors outscore the Suns 25-15 in the final frame, and you could feel the momentum shift with every possession.
The turning point came after De’Anthony Melton tied the game at 97. On the very next defensive stand, Moses Moody came up with a huge block on Gillespie, which led to a Gui Santos transition layup to give the Warriors their first lead since early in the third.
Then came the dagger. Golden State’s defense clamped down once again, forcing Dillon Brooks into a deep, contested three that never had a chance. In the chaos that followed, Moody came out of the scrum with the rebound and pushed it ahead to Melton, who finished the fastbreak with a layup to seal the deal.
It was the kind of closing stretch that championship-caliber teams find a way to execute-even when they’re short-handed.
Pat Spencer was lights out, finishing with 20 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including six made threes. He also chipped in six rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 32 minutes of action. Spencer’s shooting gave the Warriors a much-needed offensive punch early and kept them within striking distance before the late surge.
Gui Santos had himself a night too, pouring in 18 points on an efficient 6-of-9 from the field, while also dishing out seven assists and grabbing four boards. His energy and playmaking were critical, especially in transition.
Melton, making his first start of the season, played like a guy who’s been waiting for his moment. He finished with 12 points on 6-of-14 shooting, three steals, and a game-high +21 in just 25 minutes. His defensive presence and late-game poise were major reasons the Warriors were able to claw their way back.
And while the offensive numbers tell part of the story, it was Golden State’s defense that ultimately turned this game around. They locked in when it mattered most, forcing tough shots and capitalizing on every mistake Phoenix made down the stretch.
Now, after a much-needed day off, the Warriors head south for a Saturday night showdown against Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and the Lakers. If this comeback win is any indication, Golden State’s not ready to fade quietly into the background of the Western Conference playoff race. Not yet.