Venue Location
The match will be held at Footprint Center (also known as PHX Arena) in Phoenix, Arizona. This is the Phoenix Suns’ home venue, with a capacity of approximately 17,071. The arena is renowned for its modern design and enthusiastic crowd, which often provides a significant home-court advantage.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT / 2:00 AM UTC on February 25). The game will be broadcast on NBCS-BOS, AZFamily, and Suns+.
Injury Report
- Boston Celtics: Jayson Tatum (F) is out due to an Achilles injury (expected to be out until at least March 4). No other major injuries reported, but the team is managing depth without their star forward.
- Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker (G) is out with a hip strain (re-evaluated in one week). Dillon Brooks (F) is out with a fractured left hand (indefinite). Jordan Goodwin (G) is out with a calf strain. Grayson Allen (G) is day-to-day with a right ankle sprain. Jalen Green (G) is questionable with a right hamstring issue. Cole Anthony (G) is out (not injury-related).
Key
Player Matchups
This game features a clash of Eastern and Western Conference contenders, but injuries shift the focus to supporting casts. The Celtics’ balanced attack will test the Suns’ depleted lineup.
- Jaylen Brown (BOS Guard/Forward) vs. Bradley Beal (PHX Guard): With Tatum out, Brown (averaging 23.8 PPG) becomes Boston’s primary scorer. His athleticism and mid-range game challenge Beal (20.5 PPG), who must step up without Booker.
- Derrick White (BOS Guard) vs. Kevin Durant (PHX Forward): White’s defense (1.8 SPG) and playmaking face Durant’s scoring prowess (27.1 PPG). This mismatch could highlight Durant’s ability to exploit switches.
- Kristaps Porziņģis (BOS Center) vs. Jusuf Nurkić (PHX Center): Porziņģis (19.5 PPG, 2.1 BPG) provides spacing and rim protection, testing Nurkić’s rebounding (10.2 RPG). Porziņģis’ three-point shooting could pull Nurkić out of the paint.
- Jrue Holiday (BOS Guard) vs. Jusuf Nurkić (PHX Center): Holiday’s veteran savvy (12.4 APG) will orchestrate Boston’s offense against Phoenix’s interior defense.
Recent Team Forms
- Boston Celtics: WWWLW (Last 5: Win 111-89 at LAL on Feb 22; Win 121-110 at GSW on Feb 19; Win 124-105 vs CHI on Feb 11; Loss 89-111 vs NYK on Feb 8; Win 98-96 vs MIA on Feb 6). The Celtics average 114.6 PPG while allowing 102.4 over the last five, riding a three-game win streak with strong defense.
- Phoenix Suns: LWLWL (Last 5: Loss 77-92 vs POR on Feb 22; Win 113-110 vs ORL on Feb 21; Loss 94-121 at SAS on Feb 19; Loss 109-136 vs OKC on Feb 11; Win 120-111 vs DAL on Feb 10). The Suns average 102.6 PPG while allowing 112.0 over the last five, struggling with consistency amid injuries.
Series History
The Boston Celtics lead the all-time regular-season series 79-60 against the Phoenix Suns in 139 games. In recent matchups, Boston has dominated, winning four straight, including a 132-102 victory on March 26, 2025, and a 123-103 win on April 4, 2025. The Celtics are 2-0 this season against the Suns.
Betting Trends
Boston is 15-9 ATS as a 6.5+ point favorite and 3-2 ATS in their last 5 road games. Over has hit in 4 of their last 6 vs. losing teams. Phoenix is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 and 4-6 ATS at home. Under is 3-2 in their last 5 as underdogs. Head-to-head: Celtics are 2-0 ATS this season; over has gone 2-0 (average 235 PPG).
Game Odds
Boston Celtics – 7.5
Phoenix Suns 210.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, February 23, 2026
