On the second game of a three-game homestand, the Celtics had one of their better wins of the season, outlasting the Suns, 120-112.
Here's what stood out:
Has Jaylen Brown finally won his war against the officials?
Jaylen Brown hasn’t been shy about his desire for more consistent officiating this season. He’s spoken out multiple times on nights where he feels he and his teammates haven’t gotten enough love. The saga culminated with Brown letting his temper get the best of him and getting ejected from last week’s primetime matchup against the San Antonio Spurs.
The story on Monday was essentially the opposite. JB spent what felt like the entire first quarter at the free-throw line. He poured in 11 points in the opening 12 minutes on a crisp 9-10 from the charity stripe, setting a new career-high for made free throws in a single quarter.
He also simply set a career-high for total free-throw attempts in a single game with 21.
His output was far greater than just the free throws, though. Brown put together an inspired 41-point performance to outduel Devin Booker, who had 40 of his own.
Every game, he looks a little bit more like Jayson Tatum
It’s in the header here. Jayson Tatum has now played five games since returning from a 10-month-Achilles-rehab absence. This one against the Suns was clearly the most aggressive he’s been for a prolonged period.
Tatum drove to the basket relentlessly. One-footed takeoffs. Two-footed takeoffs. It didn’t matter. He actively looked to put pressure on Phoenix’s defense by getting to the rim and wasn’t afraid to fly around multiple defenders to do so.
His increasing comfort on the floor shouldn’t come as a surprise as he gets more games under his belt. His aggressiveness should serve as a reminder that the best is yet to come from the five-time All-NBA forward.
Tatum finished the night with 21 points, seven rebounds, and four assists.
Neemi the dimer?
Neemias Queta’s growth this season has been well documented. He’s blossomed into a starting-level center after spending the last two seasons as a fourth stringer on Boston’s bench.
His consistency and discipline have both come a long way, and have enabled him to be an impactful player on multiple levels. One season-long leap that was highlighted in the win is his heightened vision.
The ball would find Queta on the roll or on the offensive glass in previous seasons, and that would be its last stop before it got a one-way ticket to the rim.
As displayed in the below clip, that’s no longer the case.
Peep these passes from Queta 👀 pic.twitter.com/OqPTQgHSjM
— Marc D'Amico (@Marc_DAmico) March 17, 2026
Queta tied his career-high for assists in a single game with six on the night.
Heat Culture Haywood Highsmith was in the building on Monday
Former Miami Heat forward, and established Celtics playoff foe, Haywood Highsmith had himself a game on Monday. The now Suns forward couldn’t miss (at least from deep), making four of his five attempts from beyond the arc plus a few free throws for a total of 16 points.