Derrick White scores 22, and a third-quarter blitz lifts the Celtics past the Suns 97-81

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Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) drives on Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) — Boston Celtics guard Derrick White (9) drives past Phoenix Suns guard Grayson Allen during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

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8:35 PM on Tuesday, February 24

The Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) — Derrick White scored 22 points, Neemias Queta had 14 points and 13 rebounds, and the Boston Celtics used a big third quarter to beat the Phoenix Suns 97-81 on Tuesday night.

Sam Hauser shot 6 for 14, including 4 for 10 from 3-point range, to add 16 points and the Celtics — playing without All-Star Jaylen Brown (right knee contusion) — won their fourth in a row and for the ninth time in their last 10 games.

Baylor Scheierman had 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Collin Gillespie had 15 points and Grayson Allen scored 14 as the Suns lost for the fourth time in their last five games. The Suns played without their top two scorers, Devin Booker (right hip strain) and Dillon Brooks (left hand fracture), who combined average nearly 46 points per game.

The Celtics led 50-46 at halftime but took control by outscoring the Suns 30-11 in the third quarter, including a 16-0 run.

The Celtics also held a huge advantage on the boards, outrebounding the Suns by 27, 61 to 34.

Up next

Celtics: At Denver on Wednesday night.

Suns: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.