Celtics 97, Suns 81: Boston Rolls Past Phoenix Behind Derrick White and Grayson Allen's Rough Night
The Boston Celtics pulled away in dominating fashion Tuesday night in Phoenix, defeating the Suns 97–81 behind a strong performance from Derrick White while Grayson Allen struggled through a deeply frustrating shooting performance on his home floor.
Final Score: Celtics 97 – Suns 81
Boston made it look easy in the second half, using a massive third quarter to blow the game open. The Celtics outscored the Suns 30–11 in the third period to put the game out of reach. Phoenix led briefly early in the first quarter 26–21, but Boston seized control with a 29–20 second quarter and never looked back.
Scoring by Quarter:
| Quarter | Celtics | Suns |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 21 | 26 |
| 2nd | 29 | 20 |
| 3rd | 30 | 11 |
| 4th | 17 | 24 |
| Final | 97 | 81 |
Derrick White Leads Boston with 22 Points
Celtics guard Derrick White was Boston's engine all night, finishing with 22 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists while shooting 50% from the field and 36.4% from three. He added 3 blocks and turned the ball over just once, posting a game-high plus-20 on the night. White's efficiency and composure controlled the game in all three phases.
Neemias Queta added a 14-point, 13-rebound double-double off the bench, hauling in 6 offensive boards and altering the game near the rim with 2 blocks. Sam Hauser contributed 16 points, knocking down 4 of 10 three-point attempts. Baylor Scheierman posted 11 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double of his own.
Grayson Allen Struggles in Loss
Grayson Allen had one of the more difficult nights of his season for the Phoenix Suns. He finished with 14 points but was forced to earn all of them at the free throw line, converting 9 of 10 foul shots while going just 2 for 12 from the field and 1 for 9 from three-point range. Allen posted a minus-13 on the night — the worst mark among Phoenix starters — and committed 2 turnovers.
Collin Gillespie led the Suns off the bench with 15 points on 50% shooting. Ryan Dunn added 10 points on efficient shooting. But Phoenix's starters were badly outplayed, and the Suns' 36.7% field goal percentage as a team made a comeback impossible in the second half.
Key Stats at a Glance
| Category | Celtics | Suns |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 97 | 81 |
| FG% | 40.0% | 36.7% |
| 3PT% | 27.7% | 33.3% |
| Rebounds | 70 | 40 |
| Assists | 24 | 18 |
| Biggest Lead | +28 | +11 |
Boston's rebounding advantage — 70 boards to just 40 for Phoenix — was the defining story, with the Celtics grabbing 22 offensive rebounds and turning them into 15 second-chance points. The Celtics' biggest lead reached 28 points.
What's Next
Boston heads to Denver on Thursday to face the Nuggets, where they enter as 40% favorites. The Suns return home for their next home stand as the roster works through continued lineup challenges.
