The Boston Celtics unleashed a ruthless offensive onslaught, demolishing the Phoenix Suns 132-102 on Wednesday night to extend their win streak to seven games. With star forward Jayson Tatum sidelined (ankle sprain), Kristaps Porzingis erupted for 30 points (10/15 FG, 4/5 3PT) in a clinic of dominance, while Jaylen Brown added 24 points in a statement bounce-back performance.
- 3-Point Carnage: Boston buried 10 triples in the first quarter alone (7 players hit threes), igniting a 21-9 start and never looking back. They finished with 20 total threes, outscoring Phoenix 60-15 from beyond the arc.
- Porzingis’ Reign: The 7-foot-3 Latvian dominated inside and out, dropping 17 points by halftime and finishing with 30 points in just 29 minutes.
- Suns’ Implosion: Kevin Durant’s 30 points (11/16 FG) were wasted as Phoenix shot 0-for-9 from three in the second quarter and trailed by 34 points in the third. Devin Booker managed just 14 points (5/14 FG) and 10 assists.
GAME FLOW
- First Quarter: Celtics stormed ahead 42-38 behind Porzingis’ 3/3 threes and Jrue Holiday’s 9 points. Durant kept Phoenix afloat with 16 points.
- Second Quarter: Boston unleashed a 27-6 run, hitting 14 threes by halftime (73-54 lead). Suns’ offense collapsed, shooting 28% from deep overall.
- Second Half: Celtics ballooned the lead to 34 in the third, forcing garbage time early. Bench players like Sam Hauser and Payton Pritchard padded stats in the fourth.
CRUSHING STATS
- Celtics: Shot 52% FG, 47% from three (20/43). Six players scored in double figures, including Al Horford, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White (16 each).
- Suns: Shot 5/27 from three (18.5%). Bradley Beal (hamstring) sat, leaving Durant and Booker with minimal support.
- Margin of Victory: 30 points marked Phoenix’s second-worst loss of the season.
COACHES’ CORNER
- Joe Mazzulla (Celtics): “No excuses. We play our brand of basketball, Tatum or no Tatum.”
- Rick Carlisle (Suns): “Their shooting was historic. We had no answer.”
WHAT’S NEXT?
- Celtics (57-14): Head to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Saturday. Mazzulla expects Tatum’s return “soon.”
- Suns (38-33): Battle the Timberwolves in Minnesota on Friday. Clinging to the West’s final play-in spot, their brutal schedule includes another Celtics matchup.
BOTTOM LINE
The Celtics’ 3-point artillery and Porzingis’ MVP-level performance sent a chilling message to the league: Boston is the team to beat, even without its superstar. For the Suns, Durant’s heroics couldn’t mask their defensive frailties—a glaring concern as the playoffs loom.
Read Article: pacers vs lakers match player stats
