Celtics Vs Suns: Boston’s third-quarter surge carries them to 97-81 win in Phoenix
In a Feb. 24, 2026 game in Phoenix, the Boston Celtics defeated the Phoenix Suns 97-81, turning a four-point halftime edge into a commanding victory with a dominant third quarter. The celtics vs suns outcome matters now because Boston stretched its winning streak to four games and its record to nine wins in the last 10 outings while the Suns saw a skid deepen amid key absences.
Derrick White provides scoring spark for Celtics
Derrick White led Boston with 22 points, pacing the offense in a game where scoring was distributed across the roster. Sam Hauser contributed 16 points on 6-for-14 shooting, including 4-for-10 from 3-point range. Baylor Scheierman finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds, and Neemias Queta added 14 points to go with 13 rebounds, giving Boston multiple interior and perimeter scoring options.
Celtics Vs Suns third-quarter surge
Boston led 50-46 at halftime and then exploded in the third quarter, outscoring Phoenix 30-11. The quarter featured a 16-0 run that flipped the contest from close to decidedly one-sided. That third-quarter stretch provided the scoreboard separation Boston needed; the Celtics carried the margin through the fourth quarter to secure the 97-81 final.
Rebounding margin and lineup absences shaped the game
The Celtics outrebounded the Suns by 27, finishing with a 61-34 advantage on the glass, a differential that limited second-chance opportunities for Phoenix and created extra possessions for Boston. The Celtics played without All-Star Jaylen Brown because of a right knee contusion. The Suns were missing their top two scorers, Devin Booker (right hip strain) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture), who together average nearly 46 points per game; Phoenix lost for the fourth time in its last five games.
Contributions from Phoenix and immediate schedule
For Phoenix, Collin Gillespie scored 15 points and Grayson Allen added 14. Despite those contributions, the Suns could not overcome Boston’s third-quarter run and rebounding edge. Phoenix is scheduled to host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.
Context and reporting details
Boston’s victory was its fourth straight and its ninth win in the last 10 games, a stretch that underscores the team’s recent consistency. What makes this notable is that the Celtics secured that run of wins even while missing an All-Star, demonstrating depth on both ends of the floor. The recap of the game appeared through coverage from Phoenix. The created the original story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Stat line summary: Final score 97-81; Derrick White 22 points; Neemias Queta 14 points and 13 rebounds; Sam Hauser 16 points (6-for-14, 4-for-10 from 3); Baylor Scheierman 11 points and 11 rebounds; Collin Gillespie 15 and Grayson Allen 14. Halftime score 50-46 Boston; third quarter 30-11 in favor of Boston, including a 16-0 run; rebounding 61-34 in favor of Boston; Celtics’ streak: four straight wins and nine wins in 10 games; Suns’ skid: four losses in five games.
