Celtics blow past Suns 132-102 in dominant win without Jayson Tatum

The Boston Celtics continued their dominant run with a convincing 132-102 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night, extending their winning streak to seven games. This win came despite the absence of star forward Jayson Tatum, who was sidelined with a sprained left ankle sustained earlier this week against the Sacramento Kings. Coach Joe Mazzulla expressed optimism that Tatum's injury would not keep him out for long.

Kristaps Porzingis led the charge for Boston, pouring in 30 points on an efficient 10-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-5 from beyond the arc. Porzingis also grabbed eight rebounds in a performance that showcased his scoring and defensive capabilities. Jaylen Brown was also a key contributor, adding 24 points and helping to keep the offense clicking in Tatum's absence.

The Celtics set the tone early, as they hit seven of their first nine 3-point attempts, jumping to a 21-9 lead in the opening minutes. Boston’s shooting barrage continued throughout the first half, and they closed the second quarter with a 27-6 run, pushing their lead to 73-54 by halftime. Boston finished the game with 22 3-pointers, demonstrating their high-powered offense and ability to dominate from long range.

Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White each chipped in with 16 points, contributing to a balanced attack that overwhelmed the Suns. Horford’s veteran presence on the floor and White’s playmaking were key in maintaining Boston's control throughout the game. Holiday's defense and ability to score efficiently were also vital to the Celtics' success.

Phoenix, on the other hand, struggled to keep pace with Boston’s shooting, despite a strong performance from Kevin Durant. The Suns' star forward finished the game with 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting. Devin Booker contributed 14 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds, but it was not enough to prevent Phoenix’s four-game winning streak from being snapped. The Suns were also without Bradley Beal, who is nursing a strained left hamstring.

The Suns kept the game competitive early on, but they were unable to contain the Celtics' offensive explosion. Despite Phoenix’s defensive improvements in recent games, they couldn't slow Boston's outside shooting, which proved to be their undoing. As the Celtics continued to pour it on, they built a lead as large as 34 points in the third quarter, eventually entering the fourth with a 27-point advantage.

With the loss, Phoenix's path to the postseason became even more challenging. As of now, the Suns hold the final spot in the Western Conference play-in tournament, but with just nine regular-season games remaining, their schedule includes several difficult matchups, including a rematch with the Celtics in the near future.

The Celtics have now won four straight games by double figures, solidifying their position as one of the league's top teams heading into the final stretch of the regular season. While they have been dominant in recent games, the absence of Tatum serves as a reminder of the team's vulnerability, though their depth and the play of players like Porzingis, Brown, and Horford have helped them weather the storm.

Looking ahead, the Celtics will play the San Antonio Spurs on Saturday, while the Suns will travel to face the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday. Both teams will continue to push for their respective goals — Boston for the top seed in the Eastern Conference and Phoenix for a playoff spot in the West.

Takeaways:

• Celtics: Without Jayson Tatum, Boston's offense was still firing on all cylinders, thanks to Kristaps Porzingis’ big night and Jaylen Brown's continued strong play. The Celtics’ depth was on full display, and they made a statement with their dominant win.

• Suns: Phoenix's defense, which had improved during their recent winning streak, was unable to stop Boston’s three-point barrage. With a tough remaining schedule, the Suns' hopes of staying in the play-in picture could be in jeopardy if they don’t improve their defensive consistency.

Key Stat:

• The Celtics hit a total of 22 three-pointers, with 7 of their first 9 attempts falling in the opening minutes, setting the tone for their blowout victory.

Next Games:

• Boston Celtics: vs. San Antonio Spurs (Saturday, March 29, 2025)

• Phoenix Suns: at Minnesota Timberwolves (Friday, March 28, 2025)