From epic start to epic collapse to epic finish, it was a wild ride for the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.

The Warriors leaped out to a 21-point lead in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns and looked to be on complete cruise control on the road. This was not a common occurrence for Golden State during this 2011-12 season.

Problem was, they took the “cruise” part of cruise control to heart. Carelessness and an overall lack of aggressiveness got the Suns right back in it. Channing Frye and Marcin Gortat combining for 43 points and 24 rebounds certainly didn’t help.

With the game tied a 102 and the clock ticking down, Monta Ellis decided he was going to ensure Golden State didn’t go into the All-Star break with a bitter taste in their mouth.

With time running out and only Grant Hill in is way, Ellis used his blazing fast speed to create separation. Hill’s defense wasn’t that bad, as he was able to recover and still get a hand up on Ellis’ fade away…but it didn’t matter.

Swish.

Ellis drilled the jumper and put the Warriors up 106-104 with a second left, all but sealing the deal. A Frye three-pointer at the buzzer was off the rim and the Warriors avoided the horrific collapse.

Ellis finished with 26 points and six assists including one game winner. Many believed Ellis was an All-Star snub and hitting a game-winner less than four days before the game sends a clear message that the league messed up.  

Now the Warriors enter the All-Star break at 13-17, with a glimmer of hope in the Western Conference. With 36 games still on the slate, Golden State is only 3.5 games away from the eighth seed.

Now the team has six days to rest up and be ready for the most grueling two month stretch the NBA has ever seen.

With the young legs of the Warriors…they’ll be ready.