PHOENIX — Yet another high scoring night from Devin Booker simply wasn’t enough for the Phoenix Suns as they fall 123-103 to the Boston Celtics without Kevin Durant.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Devin Booker finished with 37 points, five rebounds and six assists in 38 minutes. The next-highest scorer had 12 (Royce O’Neale, Oso Ighodaro and Tyus Jones). Bradley Beal in his first game back from injury finished with one point on 0-of-7 shooting in 30 minutes.
The Suns were simply outclassed by the defending champion Celtics, who had six players score in double figures led by Jaylen Brown with 31 points on 10-of-16 shooting. In the first quarter, Boston passed the 2022-23 Golden State Warriors for most single-season 3-pointers.
This loss coupled with the Sacramento Kings (37-40) beating the Charlotte Hornets moves Phoenix (35-42) two games behind them for the 10th seed and final spot in the Western Conference play-in. The Suns take on the New York Knicks next on Sunday to finish the road trip.
Booker lacks reinforcements in 3rd quarter
Devin Booker scored 14 of his game-high 30 points in the third quarter, but he was the only Sun to score more than three points in the period as the Celtics sustained their production and lead ahead of the final quarter, 90-75.
In fact, Booker was one of two Suns to score in double figure through three quarters. Oso Ighodaro had 12 points. Phoenix kept up with the league-leading Celtics in 3-point attempts, shooting 26 to Boston’s 27, but they only made seven to Boston’s 11.
Four Celtics scored in double figures through three quarters, led by Jaylen Brown with 27 points on 9-of-15 shooting and 3-of-4 from deep. Derrick White had only six points in 22 minutes but led the game in plus-minus as a plus-22.
Apr 4, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) during the second quarter against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Celtics control lead as Suns edge back in 2nd quarter
Phoenix dug into Boston’s 20-point lead ahead of halftime behind Devin Booker’s aggression and impactful minutes from Oso Ighodaro and other bench players to cut the lead to 60-47 at the half.
Booker continued to lead with 16 points and four assists on 6-of-13 shooting. Oso Ighodaro was the only other Sun in double figures with 10 first half points and four rebounds. Royce O’Neale stuffed the stat sheet with six points, five rebounds and two assists. Tyus Jones and Grayson Allen each had five points off the bench.
Boston had three players score in double figures ahead of halftime, led by Jaylen Brown with 17 points, Kristaps Porzingis with 14 and Jayson Tatum with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists.
Apr 4, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots over Boston Celtics center Kristaps Porzingis (8) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Booker continues 1st quarter hot streak
Devin Booker continues to amp up his aggression in the first quarters of games without Kevin Durant, scoring 10 points and three assists on 4-of-8 shooting to mitigate Boston’s 31-22 lead in the opening period.
Oso Ighodaro was inserted into the starting lineup in place of Nick Richards and produced productive minutes, scoring four points. Bradley Beal played seven minutes in his first quarter back from injury and missed his only shot attempt but got two steals.
The Celtics put up five 3s in the opening quarter and set the single-season record for 3-pointers, led by Jaylen Brown with 10 points on 3-of-4 from the field and 2-of-3 from deep. Jayson Tatum had seven points, two rebounds and two assists in 12 minutes.
Apr 4, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) loses the ball against the defense of Phoenix Suns forward Ryan Dunn (0) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
Injury report
Bradley Beal returned to the lineup after missing eight games with a left hamstring strain. Kevin Durant is the only Sun out on the injury report with a left ankle sprain, missing his second game. Coach Mike Budenholzer noted that he is “progressing” but still hasn’t done any on court work.
For Boston, Jaylen Brown came into the game questionable with a right knee posterior impingement but was made available ahead of the game, making everyone on the Celtics’ roster healthy for the matchup.
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Reporter Connor Moreno covers the Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @cmorenoNBA, and on Bluesky, @cloading.bsky.social
