Unexpected hero takes Phoenix Suns' season off life support

Let's face it, the Phoenix Suns' season is as good as over. With a horrific defensive rating that - before last night - was the worst in the entire NBA across the last 10 games - it was clear this was a group that was going nowhere fast. Worse than that, the questions surrounding them looked to be only beginning.

This is a franchise that appeared willing to trade Kevin Durant at the deadline, while even Bradley Beal was rumored to have one interested party in his services. Assuming that is, he was willing to waive his no-trade clause to leave Phoenix. The point is, this looked like a team that was playing out the regular season in listless fashion, and that couldn't wait to get there.

Then the Collin Gillespie game gave their campaign new meaning.

Before turning our attentions to a player who hasn't gotten much run - or airtime - this season, we first need to show some love to Durant. So much has been made about if the 36-year-old still has it - but in leading the way with 34 points in the biggest comeback in franchise history to defeat the L.A. Clippers - he turned in a vintage performance.

This victory doesn't happen without him, and it was also refreshing to see the player come out in support of head coach Mike Budenholzer as well. The pair appeared to clash early in the game - but when speaking to the media afterwards - Durant made sure to mention that the same cameras and people saw division, were less quick to talk about how they both came together in the win too.

While Durant had himself a night, it was the relatively unknown point guard Gillespie who had some big moments in his team's win. A point guard who is playing on a two-way deal this season, Gillespie hasn't had much of a chance behind both Tyus Jones and Monte Morris. Point guard play is also somewhat compromised when you've got Beal and Devin Booker as well.

He hit a massive 3-pointer to effectively give the Suns the win, and seized his chance in scoring 10 points in 15 minutes. This was an interesting change by coach Budenholzer, who went back to starting Beal, while also bringing Jones off the bench. To add to the quirks of the starting five, the Suns also started Bol Bol and Nick Richards alongside their "Big 3".

There finally appeared a willingness of the coaching staff to make some changes to try and give their season new life. Bol has been playing well recently - Jones less so - while bringing Beal back in a bigger capacity means the Suns are going with using their most talented and in-form players the most frequently.

Gillespie clearly figured in that way of thinking as well, with coach Budenholzer giving a chance to a guy frankly deserves one. This team have been sleepwalking through most of the season - save for that 8-1 start - while players such as Gillespie and Bol play with a kind of hunger that has been sorely lacking.

The sample size is also far too small at this point to say with real clarity, but defensively the Suns sure looked more solid when Gillespie was out there. He's a bigger body than Jones - although not by much - but really though it was his willingness to do anything he could to help the Suns to win. In doing so he also gave this franchise a lifeline when all seemed to be lost.