With playoffs looming, should Phoenix Suns cut minutes for struggling players?

MINNEAPOLIS — The late-season margin for error in the Western Conference is shrinking every night, and some Phoenix Suns fans are beginning to ask a difficult question: Should the club reduce roles for players who are struggling right now?

Mar 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

The debate intensified Monday night after the Suns fell to the Boston Celtics, 120-112, and gained no ground in their push to move out of the No. 7 spot in the conference. Their 116-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday only added fuel to the discussion, with the club dropping to 39-30. With only weeks left in the regular season, every game counts.

Despite losing two of their last three games, Phoenix remains firmly in the playoff picture, but short skids like these can shift positioning between the sixth seed, the play-in tournament, and beyond. That reality has renewed focus on the team’s guard rotation — especially with Collin Gillespie’s recent shooting inconsistency.

Mar 6, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (0) guards Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) during the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Over his last four games, Gillespie has averaged 4.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 3.8 assists while shooting just 23.3% from the field. As one of the team’s dynamic shooters, the slump couldn’t have come at a worse time.

Because the season is winding down, many fans are questioning whether rapid changes are necessary to keep the skid from worsening, even if it means reduced playing time for players like Gillespie.

According to a poll by Burn City Sports, 86% of the audience believes Phoenix should consider moving him around, while 14% believe he should keep his place.

“He[‘s] good coming off the bench,” Mariah Diane Motes writes. “And can’t handle pressure on the starters to [be] honest.”

With stars like Devin Booker and Jalen Green carrying much of the offensive burden, Phoenix’s supporting pieces must consistently provide spacing and secondary scoring to stabilize lineups.

However, Gillespie’s shooting slump may be just that — a slump. In the four games before this stretch, he was averaging 16 points and shooting 43.7% from the field.

The Suns are most successful when it’s a full team effort rather than one reliant on a handful of stars. That makes decisions about adjusting the rotation or cutting minutes even more important — especially as their road trip only gets tougher.

Mar 10, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie (12) shoots during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

As injured players make their return in this final stretch of the season, it’ll come down to who can produce consistently — even if it means less playing time for set players.

*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde

With playoffs looming, should Phoenix Suns cut minutes for struggling players?

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