The Boston Celtics didn’t give the Phoenix Suns any breathing room on Tuesday night, allowing just 35 points in the second half en route to a blowout 97-81 win in Arizona. This lack of scoring isn’t exclusive to the Suns, though, as the Celtics have held their opponents to 100 points or fewer in eight of their last 12 games.
With Celtics star Jaylen Brown sidelined with a right knee contusion (on the first leg of a back-to-back set of games), guard Derrick White picked up the scoring slack. He finished with a game-high 22 points to go along with 8 rebounds and 8 assists in 34 minutes of play. Celtics starters Sam Hauser, Neemias Queta, and Baylor Scheierman also all scored in double figures. And while Ron Harper Jr. — who was making the second start of his young NBA career — didn’t reach double digits, he still put together a solid outing with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 monster block.
The Suns weren’t fully healthy either. Due to injury, they were missing 5-time All-Star Devin Booker, forward Dillon Brooks, and guard Jordan Goodwin. Phoenix shot under 40% from the floor and 3-point land and managed just 11 points in the third quarter. Guard Collin Gillespie led the way in the losing effort with 15 points and 3 assists in 27 minutes.
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Following the 16-point win, the Celtics have won nine of their last 10 games and boast a perfect 8-0 record against the Pacific Division. Moreover, Boston’s 14-6 record against Western Conference teams is the best of any Eastern Conference squad.
The 38-19 Celtics will look to remain perfect on their four-game road trip out West when they face the 36-22 Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
But before that pivotal showdown, let’s take a look at some of the best photos from the Celtics’ dominant win over the Suns.
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Phoenix Suns head coach Jordan Ott reacts against the Boston Celtics in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics guard Ron Harper Jr. (13) celebrates a three point shot against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics guard Derrick White celebrates against the Phoenix Suns in the second half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) moves the ball against Phoenix Suns forward Oso Ighodaro (11) in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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
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
Feb 24, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Boston Celtics center Nikola Vucevic (4) reacts against the Phoenix Suns in the first half at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics put on a defensive show vs. the Suns en route to ninth win in last 10 games