When the Boston Celtics (44-23) last faced the Phoenix Suns (39-28), they didn’t have their full lineup and didn’t have their best shooting touch early.

It still didn’t matter.

Boston leaned on defense, depth and a dominant second half to pull away for a 97-81 win, turning what began as a sluggish offensive night into another convincing victory.

The Celtics held Phoenix to just 35 points in the second half and completely flipped the momentum with a suffocating defensive stretch late in the second quarter before blowing the game open in the third.

That win has come to represent a larger theme of Boston’s season.

Even when the shots aren’t falling or key players are unavailable, the Celtics have repeatedly found ways to control games with their defense and versatility. Over the past several weeks, that formula has helped Boston maintain its position near the top of the Eastern Conference standings while navigating injuries and shifting rotations.

Players like Derrick White and Neemias Queta have stepped into bigger roles during those stretches. White has often steadied the offense as a secondary playmaker, while Queta’s physical presence around the rim has helped Boston dominate the glass and generate extra possessions.

That starting lineup depth has been one of the defining features of the Celtics’ recent run, and that was before Jayson Tatum returned from his Achilles rehab.

Meanwhile, Phoenix enters tonight’s matchup dealing with a key absence of its own.

The Suns have already ruled out Dillon Brooks with a fractured left hand, removing one of their most aggressive perimeter defenders and a player who typically handles difficult matchups against opposing wings.

Brooks’ physical style and defensive versatility have long been part of what makes Phoenix difficult to face, so his absence creates an immediate challenge against a Boston team that thrives on spacing and multiple scoring threats.

The Suns will still rely on their offensive firepower and pace to keep the game competitive, but slowing Boston’s rhythm has proven difficult for opponents lately.

The Celtics have built a reputation this season for wearing teams down over four quarters, gradually turning tight games into comfortable margins through defensive pressure and rebounding.

That’s exactly what happened the last time these teams met.

And if Boston’s recent stretch is any indication, the Celtics will try to follow the same blueprint again tonight.

Phoenix Suns at Boston Celtics Information

Game Date: March 16, 2026
Game Time: 7:30 PM ET
TV Channel: NBC Sports Boston (Boston) & Arizona’s Family 3TV (Phoenix)
Radio: 98.5 The Sports Hub (Boston) & Arizona Sports 98.7 (Phoenix)
Location: TD Garden, Boston, MA
Live Stream: Fubo, NBA League Pass & Suns Live

Missed any of Saturday night’s win over the Wizards? Here’s everything you need to know:

Queta wasted no time imposing himself in this matchup.

The Celtics center took full advantage of Washington’s shaky pick-and-roll defense, scoring 22 of his 24 points in the first half. Nearly all of that production came around the rim, as Queta repeatedly slipped into open space for easy finishes inside.

He knocked down 10 of his 12 field-goal attempts - all from the paint - while also adding 6 rebounds and a block before halftime. His early surge helped Boston build a 23-point lead at the break despite the team struggling from beyond the arc.

Queta ultimately finished with 24 points and 10 rebounds in 31 minutes, continuing what has quietly been a strong stretch of play whenever he’s been given extended minutes.

Saturday also marked a small but meaningful step forward for Tatum.

After returning earlier in the week while working under a strict minutes restriction, the Celtics star saw his playing time increase significantly.

Tatum played a season-high 32 minutes, five more than his previous limit, as Boston continues to ease him back into a full workload.

The forward started slowly, missing his first five shots, but eventually settled into a rhythm during the middle quarters.

By the end of the third period, Tatum had already recorded 18 points and 14 rebounds while helping stabilize Boston’s offense during key stretches. He also added 7 assists, turning in arguably his most complete performance since returning to the lineup.

Boston’s outside shooting nearly turned what should have been a blowout into a slightly uncomfortable finish.

The Celtics shot just 12 of 46 (26.1%) from beyond the arc, with several of their top perimeter threats struggling. Tatum went 2 of 9 from three, Jaylen Brown missed all five of his attempts, and Payton Pritchard went 0 of 4.

Fortunately for Boston, the interior offense more than made up for the poor shooting night.

The Celtics dominated the paint 54-28, repeatedly attacking the rim and taking advantage of Washington’s lack of interior resistance.

The Wizards remain one of the league’s toughest watches right now.

Washington entered the night on a double-digit losing streak and showed few signs of turning things around against Boston.

Defensive effort was inconsistent throughout the game, particularly during the decisive second quarter when the Celtics carved them up with ease.

There are still a few intriguing pieces on the roster - including young center Alex Sarr - but the overall product remains very much a work in progress.

For Boston, though, none of that mattered much.

The Celtics simply needed a win after a difficult stretch, and they got it.

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Tom Carroll is a contributor for Roundtable, with boots-on-the-ground coverage of all things Boston sports. He's a senior digital content producer for WEEI.com, and a native of Lincoln, RI.