The Boston Celtics came into Phoenix and made a statement, riding a suffocating third-quarter defensive performance to a 97-81 victory over the Phoenix Suns at Mortgage Matchup Center on Tuesday night. Derrick White led all scorers with 22 points, and center Neemias Queta delivered a standout double-double off the bench as Boston pulled away decisively in the second half before a crowd of 17,071. The win moves the Celtics’ overall record to a strong position heading into the latter stretch of the season, while Phoenix drops to 33-26.
Quarter-by-Quarter Breakdown
Q1: Suns Jump Out Early — PHX 26, BOS 21
Phoenix came out with purpose in front of their home crowd, building a five-point lead after one quarter. The Suns’ guards were active and the offense was moving the ball efficiently, giving Boston an early deficit to work through. Boston’s defense hadn’t yet found its rhythm, allowing Phoenix to control the pace through much of the opening frame.
Q2: Celtics Flip the Script — BOS 29, PHX 20
Boston responded with a strong second quarter, outscoring Phoenix 29-20 to take a 50-46 lead into halftime. The Celtics tightened their defensive rotations and got their transition offense going, chipping away at the early deficit and then some. White was instrumental in the swing, and Boston’s depth began to show as the Suns’ offense started to slow.
Q3: Celtics Take Over — BOS 30, PHX 11
This was where the game was decided. Boston delivered a dominant third quarter, holding Phoenix to a paltry 11 points while scoring 30 of their own — a 19-point swing in a single period. The Suns went cold from the field, and Boston’s defense turned physical possessions into quick buckets on the other end. That 30-11 third quarter extended Boston’s lead to 80-57 entering the final frame and effectively ended the contest as a competitive game.
Q4: Garbage Time — BOS 17, PHX 24
With the game well in hand, Boston managed the fourth quarter comfortably. Phoenix outscored the Celtics 24-17 in the final period — largely with the outcome already determined and Boston’s starters resting — but it was nothing more than a consolation. The final buzzer read Boston 97, Phoenix 81.
Key Performers
🟢 Derrick White — Boston Celtics
White was Boston’s engine on offense, finishing as the game’s leading scorer with 22 points. He was efficient on both ends of the floor, doing what he does best — hitting timely shots, applying defensive pressure, and keeping the offense organized. This was a prototypical Derrick White performance: no wasted possessions, just steady, winning basketball.
🟢 Neemias Queta — Boston Celtics
The Portuguese center was outstanding off the bench, recording 14 points and 13 rebounds — a full double-double that helped Boston dominate the interior. Queta’s rebounding was critical during the decisive third quarter, limiting Phoenix to one shot on most possessions while giving Boston extra opportunities on the offensive end. He continues to carve out a meaningful role for this Celtics squad.
🔴 Collin Gillespie — Phoenix Suns
The Suns’ leading scorer on the night was guard Collin Gillespie, who finished with 15 points. While Gillespie showed some fight, particularly in the fourth quarter, it wasn’t nearly enough to overcome the team’s collective offensive struggles. Ryan Dunn led Phoenix with 6 rebounds, and Oso Ighodaro distributed a team-high 5 assists.
Game Analysis
The story of this game is straightforward: Boston’s third quarter was the difference. Holding a team to 11 points in a quarter of NBA basketball is a significant defensive achievement, and it came at exactly the right moment — when Phoenix still had momentum from a first-quarter lead and could have made a second-half push.
Phoenix’s shooting numbers tell a difficult story. The Suns shot just 36.7% from the field (29-of-79) and 33.3% from three-point range (12-of-36), attempting a high volume from distance but converting at a below-average rate. With 36 three-point attempts and only 12 made, Phoenix’s perimeter-heavy offense never caught fire consistently enough to sustain a lead.
Boston, by contrast, won the game with balance. Queta’s interior presence, White’s efficient scoring, and a well-organized team defense that peaked in the third period — these are the hallmarks of a well-coached, experienced team. The Celtics outplayed the Suns in nearly every phase of the second half, and the 16-point final margin was a fair reflection of how the game unfolded.
For Phoenix, the 11-point third quarter will be the primary talking point. Falling into offensive droughts against elite defensive teams is a recurring challenge, and this game illustrated how quickly a manageable halftime deficit can become an insurmountable gap.
What This Means Going Forward
With this victory, the Celtics continue to demonstrate they are a reliable road team — a quality that will matter as the playoff picture comes into sharper focus in the final weeks of the regular season. For Phoenix, now sitting at 33-26 overall with a 19-12 home record, Tuesday’s loss at home is a missed opportunity they’ll want to put behind them quickly. The Suns have the personnel to compete, but consistency — particularly on offense through 48 full minutes — remains something they’ll need to shore up. Boston showed exactly how to exploit a cold offensive night, and that lesson won’t be lost on Suns fans or coaching staff heading into their next contest.
