Celtics vs Suns: Derrick White Leads Third-Quarter Blitz as Grayson Allen and Baylor Scheierman Stand Out

The Boston Celtics delivered a statement defensive performance against the Phoenix Suns in a 97–81 win in Phoenix on Tuesday night, February 24, 2026 (ET), using a crushing third-quarter surge to turn a narrow halftime edge into a comfortable finish. Derrick White anchored Boston’s attack and set the tone at both ends, while Phoenix leaned on Grayson Allen for perimeter scoring in a short-handed lineup. Meanwhile, rookie Baylor Scheierman provided an unexpected jolt that underscored Boston’s depth as the season’s stretch run approaches.

Derrick White Sets the Tone in a Controlled Celtics Win

Derrick White finished with 22 points and consistently steadied Boston whenever the game threatened to get messy. With the Suns trying to speed up the pace and generate clean looks from three, White’s shot-making and decision-making became the separator—especially during the portion of the game when Boston flipped the switch defensively.

White’s impact went beyond the box score. He orchestrated the offense with poise, attacked mismatches when Phoenix switched, and repeatedly punished late closeouts. In a game that never turned into a shootout, White’s efficient scoring had outsized value: it forced Phoenix to defend deeper into possessions and reduced the Suns’ ability to run off misses.

The Third Quarter: Where Celtics vs Suns Was Decided

Boston led 50–46 at halftime, but the Celtics owned the game’s defining stretch immediately after the break. The third quarter became a defensive clinic, with Boston outscoring Phoenix 30–11 and ripping off a 16–0 run that effectively ended the suspense.

The Celtics’ formula was simple and ruthless:

• Shrink the floor, take away clean driving lanes

• Wall off early offense to prevent rhythm threes

• Finish possessions with rebounds and quick outlets

Phoenix’s offense stalled into tough pull-ups and late-clock heaves, and the Suns’ lack of primary creators showed as the deficit ballooned. Boston’s ability to turn stops into controlled pace—rather than frantic transition—kept the game from swinging back.

Grayson Allen’s Role Grows for a Short-Handed Suns Team

For Phoenix, Grayson Allen carried a heavier offensive burden than usual and finished with 14 points. With the Suns missing top-end scoring and playmaking, Allen’s job wasn’t just to space the floor—it was to generate offense, move defenders with relocation, and keep Phoenix attached when Boston threatened to run away.

Allen did his part with timely jumpers and active off-ball movement, but Phoenix struggled to consistently create the type of paint pressure needed to open high-quality threes. When Boston tightened its rotations in the second half, the Suns’ shot diet became predictable, and Allen’s looks grew tougher as the Celtics stayed connected to shooters and closed out under control.

Baylor Scheierman’s Surprise Impact Highlights Boston’s Depth

One of the more telling subplots of Celtics vs Suns was the impact of Baylor Scheierman. The rookie logged a productive line—11 points and 11 rebounds—and played with the kind of calm that travels well in late-season basketball.

Scheierman’s value came in two areas Boston prioritizes:

1. Rebounding and physicality on the glass

2. Reliable spacing that keeps the offense functional when stars sit

Boston’s bench minutes didn’t just “hold serve”—they helped extend leads. For a contender, that’s the difference between surviving a road game and controlling it. Scheierman’s willingness to rebound in traffic also fed directly into the Celtics’ biggest advantage of the night.

Celtics’ Dominance on the Boards Tells the Story

Boston’s size and activity showed up most clearly in rebounding. The Celtics won the glass by a massive margin, finishing with a 61–34 advantage that repeatedly erased Phoenix’s second-chance opportunities while creating extra possessions for Boston.

Here’s a quick snapshot of the key drivers:

That rebounding gap also explains why Phoenix’s offense felt like it was constantly climbing uphill. Defensive stops don’t matter if you can’t finish possessions, and Boston consistently did.

What This Win Signals for Both Teams

For Boston, this was a “mature” win: a tight first half, then a decisive stretch where the defense and rebounding buried the opponent. Derrick White’s steady leadership, combined with meaningful contributions from role players like Baylor Scheierman, reinforces the Celtics’ identity as a deep team that can win even when the scoring isn’t explosive.

For Phoenix, the loss highlighted how thin the margin becomes when key scorers are out. Grayson Allen’s production helped, but the Suns need more creation, more easy paint touches, and more rebounding resistance to survive against elite defenses.

The Celtics leave Phoenix with another road win built on defense, discipline, and depth—exactly the kind of blueprint that tends to hold up when the games get louder in April and May.