The Phoenix Suns delivered one of their most complete performances of the season Monday night, going into Los Angeles and handing the Lakers a convincing 125-108 loss. And they did it without Grayson Allen, who was a late scratch due to illness.
That only makes the win more impressive - this wasn’t a Lakers team missing key pieces. It was a full-strength squad, and the Suns outplayed them from start to finish.
A big reason why? Collin Gillespie.
Let’s be honest - few expected Gillespie to be such a central figure for this Suns team. But with each passing game, he’s not just earning minutes; he’s earning trust. Starting at point guard again, Gillespie was relentless, smart, and efficient - the kind of performance that makes you rethink how Phoenix handled its backcourt rotation last season.
Gillespie’s presence on both ends of the floor was a major difference-maker. Head coach Jordan Ott made a point to stagger Gillespie and Devin Booker’s minutes early, ensuring one of them was always on the floor to keep the offense humming.
And even after Booker exited with a groin injury, Gillespie didn’t blink. He just kept orchestrating, defending, and hitting big shots.
This wasn’t just a good night - it was a statement game.
Gillespie finished with 10-of-19 shooting from the field, including a scorching 8-of-14 from beyond the arc. Time and again, he found daylight behind the arc, using subtle fakes and sidesteps to create just enough space to let it fly.
And when the Suns needed a bucket to halt a Lakers run or stretch their lead, Gillespie was there. He kept popping up in the right spots at the right time - the kind of rhythm that turns a role player into a real difference-maker.
Defensively, he brought a level of intensity that’s been missing at the point of attack. Picking up full court, pestering ball-handlers, and making life difficult for opposing guards - it’s a far cry from what Phoenix got last season from Tyus Jones.
Jones, now with the Orlando Magic, had a forgettable stint in the Valley. He put up decent numbers - 10.2 points, 5.3 assists per game, and 41.4% from three - but the impact just wasn’t there.
The energy, the edge, the defensive presence - those things never quite materialized.
Gillespie, on the other hand, is checking all those boxes.
He’s not just shooting the ball well - he’s hovering around 43% from deep on the season, right in the same neighborhood as Grayson Allen. That’s elite territory, especially for a guy who started the year with minimal expectations. But what really sets him apart is what doesn’t show up in the box score: the full-court pressure, the timely rotations, the hustle plays that swing momentum.
That’s why the Suns named him their MVP of the first quarter of the season - and it’s hard to argue. He’s been one of the league’s most surprising and valuable finds this year, and Monday night was the clearest example yet. Against a loaded Lakers roster, he didn’t just hold his own - he controlled the tempo, stretched the floor, and helped set the tone defensively.
And if you’re the Suns, you can’t help but wonder: what if they’d made this move sooner? Last season’s team lacked that spark at the point.
Gillespie was showing flashes even then, but stuck behind Jones, he never got the consistent shot he’s getting now. With the way he’s playing, it’s fair to think he could’ve helped steal a few more wins - maybe not enough to change the postseason picture, but enough to change the vibe of the season.
Now, he’s not just a feel-good story. He’s a key contributor on a team that’s finding its rhythm.
The Suns are leading the league in steals and playing solid defense overall - and Gillespie’s fingerprints are all over that. He’s brought toughness, spacing, and a bit of swagger to a team that needed all three.
With Booker’s health now a question mark, the Suns may need even more from Gillespie moving forward. But if Monday night was any indication, he’s ready for it. And with performances like this, he’s not just erasing memories of Tyus Jones - he’s carving out a future that’s looking brighter by the game.