The Boston Celtics made it look easy on Wednesday night, even without their biggest star.
The Celtics overpowered the Phoenix Suns and beat them 132-102, although they did it without Jayson Tatum, who was absent due to an injury.
Speaking on “Hoops Tonight,” Jason Timpf said the Celtics put on a “drive and kick clinic” and showed their true identity in the win.
They played a brand of basketball that is fast, relentless, and impossible to slow down.
The Celtics are an absolute basketball machine pic.twitter.com/V9IlAr1OSA
— Hoops Tonight (@hoopstonite) March 27, 2025
Timpf said the fact that the team thrived without Tatum is a big deal.
It showed that they know who they are and they have a style that works no matter who is on the roster, as long as everyone buys in and sticks with it.
Throughout the game, the Celtics expertly moved the ball quickly and with ease.
They would whip around the court, leaving the Suns dumbfounded and opening up multiple lanes and ways to score.
It was just too much for Phoenix to contend with, and they were effortlessly dismantled.
Timpf pointed out that this wasn’t an easy game, because the Suns have been doing well lately and they were playing in Phoenix.
On top of that, Tatum was out, which only hurt their chances more.
But none of that ended up mattering because the Celtics did what they have done all season: dominated.
This game was a prime example of why so many teams fear the Celtics.
They may not be the top squad in their conference, but they are the reigning champions and have formulated game plans that work night after night.
If this is what they play like in the postseason, there is a very good chance they earn back-to-back titles.
NEXT: Joe Mazzulla Reveals His Thoughts On Jayson Tatum's Injury