NBA: Hot-shooting Suns return home to face in-flux Warriors

The Phoenix Suns return home Thursday following a career night from Collin Gillespie to face a Golden State Warriors team navigating uncertainty after the loss of All-Star Jimmy Butler.

How much the Warriors’ roster will change depends on the NBA trade deadline at 3 p.m. ET Thursday. Golden State reportedly has the best offer for Milwaukee two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, while veteran Draymond Green has acknowledged he could be traded as the team adjusts to Butler’s season-ending knee injury.

"This is probably the first time I would say, since I have been here, that his name has been mentioned in trade talks," coach Steve Kerr said of Green, a four-time NBA champion. "It's different, but it's also part of the league."

Green scored six points and grabbed seven rebounds in what may have been his final home game with the Warriors, a 113-94 loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday. The team also played without Stephen Curry, who has missed two of the last four games with right knee soreness.

Golden State has lost two straight and five of seven, with Kerr suggesting trade rumors may have affected performance.

"When you coach a team, you can almost predict when things are going to go well and when they are going to go poorly," Kerr said. "Just overall health, mood, vibe. This was not a good vibe for us. It doesn't matter what the trade chatter is. It's everyone's job to bring the energy, bring the fight. It's about competing for 48 minutes for 82 games. That's the most disappointing thing."

The Warriors have won two of three games against the Suns this season, but Kerr confirmed lineup changes are likely for their final meeting. Golden State started its 23rd different combination Tuesday, being outscored 55-39 in the second half. Jonathan Kuminga (knee) missed his fifth straight game, leaving his future uncertain.

Gillespie led the Suns with a career-high 30 points, eight 3-pointers, and 10 assists as Phoenix overcame a 19-point deficit to beat Portland 130-125 on Tuesday. The Suns have won four of their last five games and seven of 10 this season. A win over the Warriors would move Phoenix a season-high 12 games over .500 in the first of a four-game homestand.

"They were in drop coverage, so we were just taking what they were giving us," Gillespie said. "Simple screens, come off it, and let it fly. We have a lot of guys who can really shoot the ball."

Phoenix made 20 of 41 3-pointers against Portland, with Gillespie going 8 of 14 and Grayson Allen 6 of 11. The Suns have made 20, 19, and a season-high 23 3-pointers in their last three games without Devin Booker (ankle). Booker is not expected to play Thursday, while Jalen Green (hip, hamstring) is questionable.

"He's an unselfish superstar in this league," Gillespie said of Booker. "We miss him, but when he is out, guys have to step up. I'm always going to look for my shot. I feel like if I get going, it'll get everybody else shots."

—Field Level Media/Reuters