Celtics Dominate Suns, Extend Winning Streak to Four

PHOENIX, AZ – February 24, 2026 – The Boston Celtics secured a decisive 97-81 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night, fueled by a dominant third quarter and strong performances from Derrick White and Neemias Queta. This win marks the Celtics’ fourth consecutive victory and their ninth in the last ten games, despite playing without All-Star Jaylen Brown.

Devastating Third Quarter Seals Victory

After a closely contested first half, ending with a 50-46 lead for Boston, the Celtics took complete control of the game in the third quarter. Boston outscored Phoenix 30-11, including a pivotal 16-0 run that swung the momentum decisively in their favor.

Rebounding Prowess and Key Performances

The Celtics’ dominance extended to the boards, where they held a commanding 61-34 rebounding advantage over the Suns. Neemias Queta led the rebounding effort with a double-double performance, contributing 14 points and 13 rebounds. Baylor Scheierman also recorded a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Derrick White led all scorers with 22 points, adding eight rebounds and eight assists. Sam Hauser contributed 16 points, shooting 6-for-14 from the field, including 4-of-10 from beyond the arc.

Suns Struggle with Key Absences

The Phoenix Suns faced a challenging night, hampered by the absence of their top two scorers, Devin Booker (right hip strain) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture), who combine to average nearly 46 points per game ESPN. Collin Gillespie and Grayson Allen led the Suns with 15 and 14 points, respectively, but were unable to overcome the Celtics’ strong performance.

Looking Ahead

The Celtics (38-19) will continue their road trip with a matchup against the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night NBC Sports Boston. The Suns (33-26) will return home to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

Key Takeaways

• The Boston Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns 97-81 on February 24, 2026.
• Derrick White led the Celtics with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists.
• Neemias Queta recorded a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds.
• The Celtics outscored the Suns 30-11 in the third quarter.
• The Celtics dominated the boards, winning the rebounding battle 61-34.
• The Suns were without key players Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks.