PHOENIX – After a back-and-forth contest early on Tuesday night, the Phoenix Suns were defeated by the Celtics 97-81 after a rout in the third quarter put the game out of reach.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Amir Coffey (2) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. (13) and Payton Pritchard (11) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
At halftime, Mortgage Matchup Center still believed. The Phoenix Suns were only down 50-46 while absorbing punches and waiting for their counter. Although the Boston Celtics came out of the locker room with clarity, they were hit with a 30–11 third-quarter avalanche that effectively ended the night. This wasn’t random shot-making. The Celtics structured it. In that third quarter, Boston tightened every screw by switching cleanly, closing out under control, and turning long rebounds into early offense. The Celtics generated high-efficiency looks while Phoenix couldn’t get any offensive consistency.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. (13) celebrates a three point shot alongside Phoenix Suns guard Collin Gillespie in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
For the Suns, the absence of Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks wasn’t just about missing points on the scoreboard. It was about offensive consistency. Without them, Phoenix lacked a shot creator to steady possessions when Boston ramped up defensive intensity. Brooks, meanwhile, provides physical perimeter defense, the kind that can disrupt rhythm before a run snowballs.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) moves the ball against Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Phoenix fans are feeling the shift in momentum with these recent defeats to Portland and Boston. The takeaway right now is that these losses are bigger than one box score. Boston showed why its system travels with on-point defense, offensive spacing, and quick decisions. For Phoenix, the margin without its stars is razor-thin, and as rotations shrink, execution magnifies.
Rapper J. Cole shouts out Suns star Devin Booker at pop-up event in Phoenix
Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
