Celtics Triumph in Thrilling Final Push Over Suns
BOSTON — For the second straight game, the Phoenix Suns watched a winnable contest slip away in the fourth quarter. This time, it came against one of the NBA’s best teams.
Mar 16, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images BOSTON — For the second straight game, the Phoenix Suns watched a winnable contest slip away in the fourth quarter. This time, it came against one of the NBA’s best teams.
Mar 16, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Jalen Green (4) drives to the basket against Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images The Boston Celtics closed the game with a decisive late surge on Monday, defeating the Suns 120-112 behind a dominant fourth-quarter performance from Jaylen Brown. Brown scored 18 of his 41 points in the final period as Boston erased Phoenix’s late lead and seized control the rest of the way.
The collapse followed a similar pattern to Phoenix’s loss two days earlier — a defensive breakdown late in the game that allowed the Toronto Raptors to rally for a 36-point fourth quarter. Against Boston, the issue was familiar. The Suns entered the fourth quarter within striking distance but struggled to generate consistent offense, while the Celtics found their rhythm.
Phoenix managed 26 points in the quarter, but Boston’s 29 — highlighted by an 8-0 run — proved enough to take control and close out the game. Mar 16, 2026; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) attempts a shot against Boston Celtics guard Baylor Scheierman (55) during the first half at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Phoenix’s offensive imbalance has become increasingly clear over the last two games, especially as the team has leaned heavily on its star backcourt.