The Boston Celtics continue their six-game West Coast road trip with a stop in Phoenix, where they face off against the Suns on Wednesday night. Both teams have plenty on the line, but they will have to manage without key stars Jayson Tatum and Bradley Beal, who are sidelined due to injuries.
Celtics Eye 54th Win of the Season
Boston enters the matchup riding a wave of momentum. With 53 wins already under their belt, the Celtics have solidified themselves as a dominant force in the Eastern Conference. They have won five of their last six games and are looking to extend their success against a Suns team fighting for its playoff life.
Phoenix, on the other hand, is battling for positioning in the Western Conference. A win would mark their 36th of the season and could help them climb from the 10th seed to the ninth, improving their chances of securing a play-in spot.
Injury Woes Hit Both Sides
Jayson Tatum was initially listed as questionable for Wednesday’s game but was later ruled out. This marks his seventh missed contest of the season. The All-Star forward last played against the Sacramento Kings, where he posted 25 points on 53.3% shooting, along with seven rebounds and eight assists. However, he sustained an ankle injury during that game, which has kept him off the court since.
On the season, Tatum has been a crucial piece for Boston, averaging:
- 27.1 points per game
- 8.7 rebounds per game
- 6.0 assists per game
- 1.1 steals per game
- 45.5% shooting from the field
For Phoenix, Bradley Beal remains sidelined with a strained left hamstring. The veteran guard has now missed five straight games. Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer provided an update on Tuesday, noting that Beal is progressing and increasing his on-court activity, but he remains day-to-day.
Suns Riding a Four-Game Win Streak
Despite Beal’s absence, Phoenix has managed to string together four consecutive wins. Devin Booker and Kevin Durant have shouldered much of the scoring load, while role players like Jusuf Nurkić and Grayson Allen have stepped up in key moments.
Tyus Jones and Ryan Dunn are expected to see increased minutes as the Suns attempt to fill the void left by Beal. Phoenix will need to rely on its depth to keep up with a Boston team that boasts one of the league’s best defensive units.
What to Watch For
The Celtics are well-rested after a two-day break, giving them an edge in energy levels. Phoenix, however, has been playing with urgency, knowing that every game matters in the crowded Western Conference playoff picture.
A few key factors to watch:
- Three-point shooting: Boston thrives from beyond the arc, while Phoenix has been inconsistent in defending perimeter shots.
- Bench production: With both teams missing key players, depth scoring will be critical.
- Turnovers: The team that takes better care of the ball will likely have the upper hand in this contest.
Boston remains the favorite, but with Tatum out, Phoenix has an opportunity to take advantage. Tip-off is set for 10 p.m. ET at Footprint Center.
