Suns Face Celtics in Key Cross-Conference Matchup

The Phoenix Suns (39-28) continue their six-game road trip, facing the Boston Celtics (44-23) at TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, on Monday, March 16, 2026, at 4:30 PM Arizona Time. The game will be televised on Arizona’s Family 3TV and Arizona’s Family Sports.

Recent Form

Phoenix is looking to rebound from a 122-115 loss to the Toronto Raptors on March 13. The Suns are 2-1 so far on this road trip. Boston is coming off a 111-100 victory over the Washington Wizards on March 14.

Injury Report

The Suns will be without Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture) and Mark Williams (left foot third metatarsal stress reaction). Boston is playing without Nikola Vucevic (right ring finger fracture). Mark Williams participated in a workout on Monday morning, handling the ball and putting pressure on his foot during shooting drills. He is expected to be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks. Dillon Brooks continues shooting practice without a brace on his left hand and is slated for re-evaluation in 4-6 weeks.

Previous Matchup

The Celtics defeated the Suns 97-81 in Phoenix last month.

Key Players and Storylines

The matchup features a compelling clash of stars, with Jayson Tatum returning to face the Suns for the first time since 2024. The anticipated duel between Tatum and Devin Booker is expected to be a highlight of the game.

Rookie Contributions

Rasheer Fleming and Khaman Maluach are expected to see playing time due to the Suns’ injuries. Fleming recently had a standout performance with a career-high 3 blocks and a perfect 3-for-3 shooting from behind the arc, earning him minutes in the fourth quarter of a close game. He has also played time at the center position.

Rebounding Focus

A key area for improvement for the Suns is rebounding. In their previous meeting, Boston outrebounded Phoenix 61-34, with a significant advantage in offensive rebounds (22-9). Limiting second-chance opportunities for Boston and creating rapid-break opportunities will be crucial for the Suns.

Game Information

Date: Monday, March 16, 2026
Time: 4:30 PM Arizona Time
Location: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts
Broadcast: Arizona’s Family 3TV, Arizona’s Family Sports, NBA League Pass, WROR (105.7 FM), KMVP 98.7