Warriors Rally Past Suns With Spencer’s Career Night

On a night that could have easily slipped away, the shorthanded Golden State Warriors staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to edge the Phoenix Suns 101-97 in Phoenix on February 5, 2026. The win snapped a two-game skid for Golden State and offered a glimpse of the team’s resilience, even with franchise cornerstone Stephen Curry sidelined for the second consecutive contest due to runner’s knee.

Pat Spencer, making just his fifth start of the season and playing his 50th and final game as a two-way player, delivered a career performance that will surely be remembered. He poured in a personal-best 20 points, including a sizzling six three-pointers, and seemed to thrive under the bright lights and mounting pressure. Spencer’s hot hand was evident early, as he drained five triples in the first half, helping the Warriors build a 59-55 halftime lead. After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr was effusive in his praise, saying, “Felt like we won the championship. We needed that.”

But the road to victory was anything but smooth. The Warriors, who rolled into Phoenix with a depleted 11-man roster after a flurry of trade deadline moves, had to dig deep. The Suns, missing star guard Devin Booker for the seventh straight game due to an ankle injury and Jalen Green for a third straight with hip and hamstring issues, still managed to take control in the third quarter. Phoenix held Golden State to just 17 points in the period, turning a four-point halftime deficit into a 14-point lead early in the fourth. Collin Gillespie’s back-to-back threes put the Suns up 90-76, and it looked like the Warriors might run out of gas.

Yet the Warriors refused to fold. De’Anthony Melton, making his first start of the season, continued his streak of double-digit scoring with 17 points and played a pivotal role in the comeback. With just under a minute left, Melton knifed through the defense for a layup that tied the game at 97-97. Moments later, Al Horford—who contributed 13 points, including seven in the final quarter—came up with a timely block. Gui Santos, who finished with 18 points and a career-high seven assists, grabbed the loose ball and raced coast to coast for a breakaway layup, putting Golden State ahead 99-97 with 28.7 seconds remaining.

The Suns weren’t done yet. Dillon Brooks, Phoenix’s leading scorer on the night with 24 points, had a chance to reclaim the lead, but his contested three-point attempt clanged off the rim. Gary Payton II, who chipped in 15 points, secured the rebound, and the Warriors scrambled to close out the victory. Melton added a buzzer-beating layup after a scramble for a loose ball, sealing the win and sending the Warriors’ bench into raucous celebration.

“We had a little stretch there in the 3rd and the 4th where we gave them a little more ground than what we wanted and we’ve kinda tucked our tails in those moments,” Spencer reflected postgame. “I’m proud of this group today for sticking together and getting through that.” The Warriors’ locker room was reportedly filled with cheers and celebration, a much-needed morale boost after recent roster upheaval and back-to-back losses.

Golden State’s win was built on their trademark perimeter shooting. The Warriors attempted a staggering 55 threes—just two shy of their season high—and connected on 20 for a 36.4% clip. In the first half alone, they fired up 37 shots from beyond the arc, making 15 (40.5%). Spencer led the barrage, but Santos, Melton, Moody, and Payton II also contributed multiple triples. The Warriors took only 21 two-point attempts all night, underscoring their commitment to a high-octane, perimeter-oriented attack.

The Suns, meanwhile, matched Golden State’s long-range firepower for much of the contest, hitting 16 of 43 threes (37.2%) with Grayson Allen (21 points, five threes), Royce O’Neale, and Gillespie each making significant contributions. However, Phoenix faltered down the stretch, managing just six field goals and 15 points in the final quarter. Allen, who had been instrumental for the Suns, left the game with a right knee injury with just over three minutes left and did not return, further depleting Phoenix’s rotation.

Both squads were missing key pieces due to injuries and recent trades. In addition to Curry’s absence, the Warriors were without new acquisition Kristaps Porzingis, who had yet to join the team after arriving from Atlanta in a trade. Porzingis is expected to meet the team in Los Angeles for Saturday’s game against the Lakers, though coach Steve Kerr expressed doubt that he’d be ready to suit up. The Warriors also announced the trade of reserve forward/center Trayce Jackson-Davis to the Toronto Raptors for a second-round pick on the same day. Brandin Podziemski, who came off the bench briefly in the first quarter, left the game due to illness and played just 12 scoreless minutes.

The Suns’ injury woes continued with Booker and Green sidelined. The team leaned heavily on Brooks and Allen for offense, but the supporting cast couldn’t quite fill the void. Oso Ighodaro provided a late dunk off an Allen feed to give Phoenix a 97-91 edge with under four minutes to play, but the Suns failed to score again as the Warriors locked in defensively.

For the Warriors, the victory was not only a testament to their depth and grit but also a showcase for emerging talent. Spencer, whose two-way contract was set to expire, made a compelling case for a full-time roster spot. Santos, too, flashed his potential as a dynamic playmaker and scorer. Melton’s steady presence and Payton II’s energy were crucial, while veterans like Horford provided stability when it mattered most.

Looking ahead, the Warriors (now 28-24) will travel to Los Angeles for a Saturday night showdown with the Lakers. Porzingis’ debut remains uncertain, but the team’s confidence is riding high after a gutsy road win. The Suns, still in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race, will try to regroup as they host the Philadelphia 76ers on the same night.

In a season marked by adversity, trades, and injuries, the Golden State Warriors proved in Phoenix that they’re not done fighting. With young players stepping up and a familiar flair for the dramatic, this group just might have more surprises in store as the campaign rolls on.