The Boston Celtics continue to roll, posting eight wins in their last nine games and sitting at 37-19 on the season, good for second place in the Eastern Conference. Their latest statement came in Sunday’s dominant 111-89 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers — a performance that showcased exactly what this team can do even without Jayson Tatum.
Tuesday night presents a new test as Boston heads to Phoenix to open a back-to-back, facing a Suns squad that has lost six of its last ten but still holds the seventh seed in the Western Conference at 33-25.
The biggest news heading into the matchup is a significant injury update for the Celtics.
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Key Celtic Listed as Questionable Jaylen Brown is officially questionable for Tuesday’s game in Phoenix with a right knee contusion. The star forward was seen icing the knee following Sunday’s blowout win in Los Angeles, where he exploded for 32 points, eight rebounds and seven assists.
Brown has been the engine of the Celtics all season, posting career-high averages of 29.2 points, seven rebounds and 4.9 assists per game. He has missed only five games this year. Should he be unable to play against the Suns, Boston will lean heavily on Derrick White and Payton Pritchard to lead the backcourt.
Tatum remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from right Achilles repair. Head coach Joe Mazzulla has been cautious with timelines, but the progression has been positive. For now, Brown’s status is the more immediate concern.
What Phoenix Brings to the Table The Suns will be severely shorthanded. Devin Booker is out with a hip strain and will miss at least another week. Dillon Brooks is sidelined for the next four to six weeks with a broken left hand, while Jordan Goodwin and Haywood Highsmith are also unavailable.
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In their absence, Phoenix will rely on Jalen Green, who has been in strong form recently and is officially off the injury report after playing both ends of a back-to-back over the weekend. Grayson Allen steps into a larger offensive role, averaging 17.3 points and 3.9 assists this season, while Collin Gillespie provides 13.4 points and 4.7 assists. The Suns’ backcourt will need an outstanding night to keep pace with Boston.
The Back-to-Back Factor Tuesday’s game in Phoenix is immediately followed by Wednesday night in Denver against the Nuggets. That schedule will heavily influence Boston’s decision on Brown. If the medical staff believes managing the knee contusion is priority one, sitting him against a depleted Suns team to ensure he’s fresh for Denver would be a smart move.
The Celtics have the depth to survive one night without their leading scorer. Payton Pritchard has been scorching hot lately, averaging 23.6 points on 54.4% shooting over his last seven games. Derrick White remains a rock on both ends, and Nikola Vucevic offers steady interior presence. Boston’s bench has proven more than capable all season.
Final Word The Celtics are in the midst of a statement-making road trip and have handled every challenge thrown their way. Sunday’s thrashing of the Lakers turned heads across the Eastern Conference. Brown was sensational in that win, and the decision on his availability in the next few hours will dictate the next two nights.
Phoenix is missing major pieces. Denver awaits. With their current form and depth, Boston is well-positioned to chase two more impressive road victories — starting with Tuesday in the desert.