The Boston Celtics proved once again that their depth is championship-caliber, dismantling the Phoenix Suns 97-81 on Tuesday night (February 24, 2026) at Footprint Center (formerly Mortgage Matchup Center). Playing without Jaylen Brown (right knee contusion) on the first night of a back-to-back, Boston overcame an uneven start and Payton Pritchard’s off night to extend their winning streak to four straight—all by double digits—and remain perfect on their West Coast road trip.
Depth Dominates – Celtics Bury Suns with Massive Run
Boston (38-19, 2nd East) fell behind by 11 in the first half, shooting just 32% from the field (9/28) and 20% from three (3/15) in the opening quarter while trailing 26-21. Phoenix (shorthanded without Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks) built a 41-30 lead midway through the second.
Then the Celtics flipped the switch: a 50-11 run from mid-second quarter through late third quarter buried the Suns. Boston outscored Phoenix 30-11 in the third alone, holding them scoreless for over six minutes. The Celtics finished with a massive edge in offensive rebounding (22-9), attempted 16 more shots and 11 more threes, and committed only eight turnovers against a Suns team that forces 16+ per game (3rd-most in NBA).
Derrick White led with a near triple-double: 22 points, 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 blocks, 1 steal. Neemias Queta posted 14 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks (his 10th double-double). Baylor Scheierman added 11 points, 11 rebounds (double-double). Sam Hauser chipped in 16 points (4/10 3PT). Pritchard struggled (8 points on 2/13 FG, 3 TOs) but stayed +11 in 34 bench minutes.
Defensive Masterclass and Bench Heroes Step Up
The turnaround started late in the second: Pritchard drew fouls, White hit threes, Queta dunked off assists, Jordan Walsh forced turnovers and finished baseline. White’s fourth three erased the double-digit deficit; Queta free throws capped a 14-0 run for a 50-46 halftime lead.
In the third, Queta dominated both ends (hook shots, blocks, passes to Hauser). Harper blocked a transition layup by Jamaree Bouyea (drawing huge bench reaction). Hugo Gonzalez’s Eurostep made it 75-52. Boston’s defense suffocated Phoenix—only four made FGs in the quarter, two late.
Fourth quarter saw a brief Suns 9-0 run, but Harper’s three, White’s and-one floater, and Scheierman’s three snuffed it. Mazzulla emptied the bench with 4 minutes left: rookie John Tonje (trade-deadline pickup) made NBA debut, Dalano Banton (2023-24 alum) got first minutes this season—both on 10-day deals expiring soon.
Key notes:
- Ron Harper Jr. started for Brown (second career start, like Feb. 4 vs. Houston).
- Celtics 5-1 without Brown this season (wins by 16, 16, 19, 21, 45; one 2-pt loss). Allowed ≤101 points in all six.
- 4 straight wins by double digits (including pre-All-Star vs. Chicago).
- On pace for 40 wins before 20 losses—benchmark cleared by all but three NBA champs since 1980.
Phoenix (shorthanded) struggled without Booker/Brooks; Celtics exploited glass and pace.
Depth Proves Championship Pedigree – Nuggets Next
Boston’s ability to win big without Brown (and Pritchard off) highlights unexpected depth. Only White was a full-time starter before this season among the five starters vs. Suns. Queta, Scheierman, Hauser, Harper, Walsh—all contributed.
The Celtics conclude the trip Wednesday vs. Nikola Jokic and Denver Nuggets (10 p.m. ET, ESPN). With Brown questionable (knee), this is another test—but Boston’s resilience and defense give them confidence. 38-19 and rolling: the East’s top contender shows no signs of slowing.
Fan Celtics: depth isn’t just backup—it’s the identity. Green runs deep—next stop, Denver!