Suns' Gillespie nears 3-point record in return to Charlotte

Phoenix guard faces former team Hornets in key late-season matchup

Apr. 3, 2026 at 12:29am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a basketball player in mid-jump shot, with their body broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in a vibrant color palette, conceptually representing the dynamic energy and multi-faceted nature of elite NBA shooting.Gillespie's sharpshooting prowess has been a crucial part of the Suns' rise to contender status this season.Charlotte Today

Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie is closing in on the franchise's single-season record for most made 3-pointers as his team faces the Charlotte Hornets, his former squad, in a key late-season NBA matchup.

Why it matters

Gillespie's pursuit of the Suns' 3-point record adds an extra layer of intrigue to this matchup between two teams jockeying for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Suns are looking to solidify their hold on a top-4 seed, while the Hornets are fighting to stay in the play-in tournament race.

The details

Gillespie, in his second season with the Suns, has knocked down 217 3-pointers so far this year, putting him just 12 shy of the franchise record held by Devin Booker. The 6-foot-3 guard has emerged as a key complementary piece alongside stars Booker and Kevin Durant, providing elite outside shooting to space the floor.

  • The Suns and Hornets are scheduled to tip off at 7:00 PM EST on April 3, 2026.
  • Gillespie is 12 3-pointers away from breaking the Suns' single-season record with 8 games left in the regular season.

The players

Collin Gillespie

A 25-year-old guard in his second season with the Phoenix Suns, Gillespie is closing in on the franchise record for most 3-pointers made in a single season.

Devin Booker

The Suns' star shooting guard, whose single-season 3-point record of 229 made 3s Gillespie is chasing.

Kevin Durant

The Suns' superstar forward, who joined the team in a blockbuster trade earlier this season and has helped elevate them to contender status in the Western Conference.

Charlotte Hornets

Gillespie's former team, who he will be facing in this key late-season matchup as the Suns look to solidify their playoff positioning.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm just trying to stay locked in and keep shooting with confidence. The record would be an honor, but the most important thing is helping this team win games down the stretch.”

— Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns guard

What’s next

If Gillespie breaks the Suns' 3-point record, it will be a significant individual accomplishment that could help propel the team to a high playoff seed in the Western Conference.

The takeaway

Gillespie's pursuit of the Suns' 3-point record adds an extra layer of intrigue to this late-season matchup between two teams fighting for playoff positioning. The Suns' ability to surround their stars with elite shooting has been a key factor in their rise to contender status this season.