As the Phoenix Suns gear up for Tuesday's clash with the Denver Nuggets, they're looking to shake off a rough patch, having dropped five of their last six games. With just 10 games left in the season, the Suns are clinging to the seventh seed in the Western Conference, aiming to secure a home spot in the Play-In Tournament.
Catching the sixth-seeded Houston Rockets might be a tall order, given that they're three and a half games ahead. Plus, Houston holds the tie-breaker, having swept the Suns 3-0 in their season series.
Despite showing glimpses of being a top-five team in the West, Phoenix has been plagued by injuries. Jalen Green's been sidelined for 48 games with persistent hamstring issues, while Devin Booker has missed 16 games due to various injuries. Dillon Brooks is also out, nursing a broken hand, marking his 23rd missed game this season.
Amidst these challenges, backup guard Collin Gillespie has emerged as a bright spot. He's been a workhorse, playing in 71 of 72 games and posting career highs with 13.3 points, 4.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Gillespie is also on the brink of making Suns history, closing in on the team's single-season three-point record.
Reflecting on this potential milestone, Gillespie shared, "Definitely something I never thought about, but it'd be really cool." He's just eight three-pointers shy of tying Quentin Richardson's 2004-05 record of 226. With a shooting percentage of 42.1% from beyond the arc on 7.3 attempts per game, it's only a matter of time before Gillespie etches his name in the Suns' record books.