The Celtics entered the match on a rare two-game losing streak, having fallen to the Cleveland Cavaliers and Denver Nuggets. Despite Saturday’s victory, Boston managed to avoid a third conꜱеcutive loss and elevated their overall record to 49-14.
Tatum acknowledged the team’s imperfections, emphasizing their efforts to strive for perfection while recognizing the challenges in a competitive league. Reflecting on the win, Tatum mentioned how the Celtics utilized their off day in Phoenix, engaging in a round of golf and soaking in the 70-degree weather. This break helped the team reset and return to the path of success.
Facing the Suns, who were without the injured All-Star Devin Booker, Kevin Durant spearheaded Phoenix’s оffеnse with a season-high 45 points on 18-for-26 shooting. Despite the Suns making a push in the third quarter, the Celtics, led by Jaylen Brown’s 18 points, secured a 62-50 halftime lead and maintained control throughout the second half.
Durant’s transition 3-pointer narrowed the gap to 77-74, but Jrue Holiday’s 3-pointer and strong contributions from the bench, particularly Luke Kornet and Payton Pritchard, helped the Celtics secure an 87-78 lead entering the final quarter. Pritchard and Tatum Һιt back-to-back 3-pointers early in the fourth, and a crucial 3-pointer by Al Horford with 1:54 left solidified the Celtics’ 110-102 victory.
Boston’s bench, notably Kornet and Pritchard, played a crucial role, with Kornet scoring 14 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Coach Joe Mazzulla praised Pritchard for changing the game with his defensive prowess.
Kristaps Porzingis, a Boston starter, missed the game due to right hamstring tightness, while Booker sat out his fourth conꜱеcutive game with a sprained ankle. Despite the challenges, Suns coach Frank Vogel commended his team’s resilience and effort against the team with the best record in the NBA.
The Suns, currently the sixth team in the competitive Western Conference race, are aiming to avoid the postseason play-in tournament, with the top six seeds in each conference advancing directly to the first best-of-seven round.
