The Boston Celtics traveled to Phoenix on Tuesday night looking to extend their winning streak, but with Jaylen Brown sidelined, the team didn’t miss a beat. Losing two of their most important key players in Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks against the Suns, the Celtics took control of the game after the first quarter and used a huge momentum shift in the third quarter to win the showdown.
After struggling out of the gate, Boston cruised through the final three quarters while giving everyone some runs and opportunities in this game. It was a perfect performance for the Celtics this year, despite Brown’s absence, which was only the sixth game he has missed this season. On any given night, any player can step up for Boston, and a balanced effort on both ends of the floor now leaves them 4.5 games behind the Detroit Pistons for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.
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Here’s a quick recap of Tuesday night’s win:
Final score: Boston Celtics 97, Phoenix Suns
Game points:
Major events in the third quarter: While the Suns took advantage in the first quarter, Boston surged ahead in the second and took the lead at halftime, only to take complete control of the game in the third quarter. Boston outscored Phoenix 30-11 in the third quarter, and the Suns went several minutes without a field goal until the end of the game, setting the tone for the rest of the second half. Phoenix had no chance at the end of the third quarter and Boston was firing on all cylinders from start to finish.
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Nemias Queta: Without Jaylen Brown in the lineup, the Celtics have to rely on the performance of others on the team to improve their performance, and tonight belongs to Nemeans Queta. Queta scored 14 points and 13 rebounds, including 6 offensive rebounds and 2 blocks, and performed well on the court. He thoroughly outplayed the Suns’ Mark Williams and didn’t require much running from Nikola Vucevic
A balanced effort: Tonight, four starters scored in double figures in the win, with two players, Queta and Baylor Sherman, finishing with double-doubles. This balanced effort wasn’t just reflected on offense, as the Celtics held the Suns to less than 40 percent from three-point range and below 40 percent overall.
Game Highlight: Big block by Ron Harper Jr.
What’s next: @Denver Nuggets Wednesday, February 25th at 10:00pm ET
January 7, 2026; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta (88) blocks Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27)’s shot during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-Imagn Images
Boston will wrap up their road trip on the second night of a back-to-back when they take on the Denver Nuggets in prime time on ESPN. The Celtics will likely have Jaylen Brown back but could be without a starter or two depending on how the roster is managed on the second night of a back-to-back. In January, the Nuggets came to Boston and beat the Celtics by four points without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, with Jamal Murray finishing with 22 points and 17 assists.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Celtics beat Suns without Jaylen Brown to win five straight games