Suns Fume as Jaylen Brown Shines in Celtics Career Night

The Phoenix Suns dropped a 120-112 decision to the Boston Celtics on March 16. The game was at TD Garden before a sellout crowd of 19,156.

Stretch of games and standings

Phoenix has played a rugged stretch on the road. The Suns beat the Charlotte Hornets on March 8 to reach 37 wins this season, one more than last year.

They fell to the Toronto Raptors 122-115 on March 13 after a 27-10 run closed the game. After the loss in Boston, Phoenix sits at 39-29.

Devin Booker’s night

Devin Booker led the Suns with 40 points in Boston. He scored 23 consecutive points spanning the second and third quarters.

That streak ranks as the second-longest scoring run in Suns franchise history. Booker also returned to the building where he once scored 70 points early in his career.

Jaylen Brown’s career night

Jaylen Brown finished with a game-high 41 points for the Celtics. He set a personal mark with 21 free-throw attempts and converted 19 of them.

Brown is averaging 28.4 points this season, ranking sixth in the NBA. Suns Fume as Jaylen Brown Shines in Celtics Career Night drew strong reaction from Phoenix players and staff.

Officiating and fouls

Coach Jordan Ott and several Suns players expressed frustration with late-game whistles. Boston was called for 21 fouls, one more than Phoenix.

Both teams made 25 free throws, but Phoenix attempted two more foul shots. Booker spoke with lead official Josh Tiven after the final buzzer.

Late-game execution

Phoenix surrendered a 14-2 closing run to Boston in the fourth quarter. Coach Ott stressed that 50-50 plays decided the outcome.

Players noted missed opportunities in the final minutes. The Suns felt those moments were winnable with cleaner execution.

Injuries and the road ahead

Phoenix remains shorthanded. Dillon Brooks is sidelined with a left hand fracture and Mark Williams with a left foot third metatarsal stress reaction.

Grayson Allen battled knee soreness after a hard fall in Boston. He said the flexion felt odd, but he did not believe the issue was serious.

Playoff picture and next game

The Suns are two games behind the Minnesota Timberwolves for the sixth seed. Phoenix holds the season series tiebreaker against Minnesota and is 2-0 against them.

Minnesota lost 116-103 to the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 15. Phoenix plays the Timberwolves on March 17 in the second game of a back-to-back.

Phoenix can move closer to its playoff goal with a win. A loss would push the Suns three games behind Minnesota.

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