The Phoenix Suns pulled off one of the most improbable victories of the NBA season on Friday night in Phoenix, staging a mind-blowing comeback against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Trailing by a seemingly insurmountable eight points with just over a minute left, the Suns executed a relentless 9-0 run in under 50 seconds to secure the heart-stopping 114-113 stunner. This scrappy win cemented the Suns’ reputation as a gritty Western Conference contender.
The Historic Final Minute
The chippy contest between the Western Conference rivals appeared settled when Minnesota grabbed a commanding 113-105 lead with 1:09 remaining in the fourth quarter, according to the Associated Press. But the Phoenix Suns refused to quit. The momentum shift began when Royce O’Neale grabbed an offensive rebound and scored a putback, cutting the deficit to 113-107 with 49.3 seconds left.
The Suns’ defense then immediately forced a turnover. Backup guard Collin Gillespie, stepping up for the fouled-out Devin Booker, found Jordan Goodwin for a massive clutch three-pointer, slicing the lead to 113-110. Dillon Brooks, who dominated the final defensive possessions, followed up with a crucial steal off Julius Randle.
Goodwin immediately secured a quick layup, making the score 113-112 with 21.4 seconds remaining. The Timberwolves choked when star Anthony Edwards missed two free throws, giving the Suns one final opportunity to snatch the victory.
Collin Gillespie Buries the Dagger
With two of Phoenix’s biggest stars—Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks—having fouled out of the game, the moment belonged to the third-year guard. Gillespie drove hard into the lane and buried a contested 10-foot jumper with just 6.4 seconds on the clock, giving the Phoenix Suns their first lead since early in the quarter, 114-113.
Booker had a challenging night, managing only 16 points on poor shooting (4-of-18) and committing a season-high nine turnovers before fouling out, proving this victory was a true team effort. The Timberwolves’ final attempt, a deep three by Julius Randle at the buzzer, misfired, igniting a wild celebration on the Suns’ bench.
The stunning reversal sent shockwaves across social media, with fans praising the Suns’ “no quit” mentality and criticizing Minnesota’s late-game collapse.
Suns forward Dillon Brooks fired back at the T-Wolves, noting their premature celebrations. “They were talking too early and I love that, when guys get too confident,” Brooks told reporters afterward. “Once the pressure starts heating up, their eyes start getting big, and they start getting scared.” Brooks also specifically pointed to Randle, saying, “The person who was talking too much had two turnovers—and missed a shot.”
Wolves coach Chris Finch lamented the defensive meltdown, stating, “We lost our minds, poor execution, turnovers, obviously, and just didn’t stay locked in during the last 90 seconds.” Collin Gillespie encapsulated the Suns’ fighting spirit, declaring, “We’re just super competitive… Just don’t quit. Fight until there’s no time left.”
The electrifying victory improves the Phoenix Suns to 10-6, solidifying their standing among the top teams in the tightly contested Western Conference. The Suns will look to extend their momentum when they return home on Sunday, November 23rd, to host the San Antonio Spurs. Meanwhile, the reeling Minnesota Timberwolves, still searching for consistency, must quickly regroup before they travel to Sacramento to face the Kings on Monday, November 24th.
