The Boston Celtics headed to Phoenix on Tuesday night looking to extend their winning streak, but having to do so without Jaylen Brown, and the team did not miss a beat. Taking on a Suns team that was without two of their biggest key players in Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks, the Celtics got control of the game after the first quarter and used a big momentum shift in the third quarter to get a vice grip in the matchup.
After struggling out of the gate, Boston cruised through the final three quarters and did so while giving everyone a bit of run and opportunity in this game. It was the perfect showing for who the Celtics have been this year, even with Brown's absence, just his sixth missed game of the season. On any given night, any player can step up for Boston and a balanced effort on both ends of the court now pulls them to 4.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHere's a quick recap of Tuesday night's victory:
Final score: Boston Celtics 97, Phoenix Suns
Keys to the game:
Big third quarter: While the Suns got the advantage in the first quarter, Boston came back with a winning second quarter to give themselves the lead at halftime, but took complete control of the game in the third. Boston outscored Phoenix 30-11 in the third quarter, which saw the Suns go several minutes without scoring a basket until late in the frame, and it set the tone for the rest of the second half. Phoenix had no chance at the end of the third, and Boston kept their foot on the gas throughout.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNeemias Queta: With no Jaylen Brown in the lineup, the Celtics had to have step up performances from others on the team, and tonight belonged to Neemias Queta. Putting up 14 points and 13 rebounds, including 6 offensive rebounds, and 2 blocks, Queta was all over the court. He thoroughly outplayed Phoenix's Mark Williams, and didn't require much run from Nikola Vucevic
Balanced effort: Four starters reached double figures tonight in the win, and two of them, Queta and Baylor Scheierman, finished with double-doubles. The balanced effort didn't just show up on offense, as the Celtics held Phoenix to under 40% shooting both from 3-point range and the field overall.
Highlight of the game: Ron Harper Jr. makes emphatic block
What's next: @ Denver Nuggets, Wednesday, February 25, 10:00PM ET
Jan 7, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) blocks the shot of Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn ImagesBoston will finish out their road trip on the second night of a back-to-back when they face the Denver Nuggets in an ESPN primetime showdown. It is likely that the Celtics will get the return of Jaylen Brown back, but may be without a starter or two depending on how the roster is managed on the second night of the back-to-back frame. Back in January, the Nuggets came into Boston and defeated the Celtics by 4, without 3-time MVP Nikola Jokic, as Jamal Murray put up 22 points and 17 assists.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics roll past Suns without Jaylen Brown for fifth straight victory
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