Collin Gillespie drops 12 points, eight assists

While this season hasn’t been as good for Gillespie, he still has value on this team as a sixth man. If the Suns continue to struggle, it’s possible that he re-enters the starting lineup in place of someone else and has more consistent production. Jalen Green was struggling hence why Gillespie got more minutes in this game. In redraft leagues, he’s nothing more than a streamer for 3’s and assists at this point.

After a brutal shooting night in Wednesday’s loss to the Trail Blazers, going 0-of-8 from the field and failing to score, Gillespie got back on track Saturday night. He scored 11 points and recorded a team-high nine assists. Over two games, Gillespie has also recorded six steals. The negative for fantasy managers is the Suns’ schedule. After playing two games in Week 1, they’re the only NBA team that will play two games in Week 2. That takes some of the luster off of Gillespie in fantasy leagues.

Bridges injured his right ankle during the first half of Wednesday’s game, ending his night after logging eight minutes. The veteran forward, whose arrival in Phoenix pushed Collin Gillespie out of the starting lineup, finished with three points, one rebound and one assist. However, Rasheer Fleming started the third quarter instead of Gillespie. Bridges’ injury did not appear serious, and the Suns won’t play their first regular-season game until October 21.

After three seasons playing on two-way contracts, Gillespie played well enough last season to earn a substantial payday when free agency opens at the end of the month. Starting 58 of the 80 games he played last season, the 6-foot-1 guard averaged 12.7 points, 4.1 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.9 three-pointers in 28.5 minutes. Gillespie should take on a similar role next season, and he’s capable of offering consistent late-round value in standard leagues.

Goodwin hasn’t played since he injured his calf five minutes into the series’ opening game. The 27-year-old guard was said to have been progressing in his recovery, but was still ruled out for Game 4. Collin Gillespie has replaced him in the starting lineup while Grayson Allen provides additional depth off the bench.

Injured during the series opener, Goodwin did not play in Games 2 or 3. Collin Gillespie has moved into the starting lineup, and Grayson Allen’s return during Saturday’s Game 3 defeat gave the Suns additional depth on the perimeter. Goodwin is most impactful as a defender, giving Phoenix another option to throw at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.

Goodwin hurt his calf five minutes into Game 1 of the series against the Thunder and hasn’t played since. Even with Goodwin sidelined in Game 2, Grayson Allen got a DNP-CD again. Collin Gillespie moved into the starting lineup for Game 2 and had seven points in 29 minutes. Expect Gillespie to start again with Goodwin still out.

Down two starters, the Suns’ depth will be tested against one of the deeper teams in the league on Wednesday. Phoenix was blown out in Sunday’s opener, but will have a chance to even the series before going back home for Game 3.

Allen is back after a three-game absence, giving the Suns additional depth on the perimeter. His minutes are likely to come at the expense of Collin Gillespie and Haywood Highsmith, with the latter being more likely to fall out of the Suns’ rotation entirely.

Allen injured his hamstring during the Suns’ penultimate game of the regular season, an April 10 loss to the Lakers. According to Ott, the veteran guard’s availability for Friday’s Play-In Tournament game against the Warriors will depend on whether he can sprint. Royce O’Neale and Collin Gillespie take on added importance in their respective roles with Allen unavailable.