The Celtics continued their relentless run in the Eastern Conference by scorching the Suns on Wednesday. Their seventh win in a row was filled with the usual Celtics cliches. Kristaps Porziņģis leading the way? Expected. Boston’s 3-point shooting proving too much for their opponent? Nothing new. Jaylen Brown delivering a comeback performance? Saw it coming. However, there was something out of the ordinary in this win for the defending champions. This win was achieved in the absence of Jayson Tatum, marking just the second time this season that he missed a road game.

Tatum, as Celtics fans know, isn’t the one to sit on the sidelines and engage in workload management discussions. In a recent interview with CLNS Media, Tatum said there is a “lot of head-butting for sure” when it comes to the team’s staff trying to balance his game time versus health. However, Tatum had to sit out his team’s trip to Phoenix after he sprained his left ankle just two days prior against the Kings and was moved from questionable to out right before the game. Still, the team managed to exude its usual dominance, and after the game, Porziņģis shared his experience of playing without Tatum and described how challenging it is for the medical staff to have JT take the necessary rest.

“Oh, same thing. I mean, we kind of play the same style. JT obviously is the main guy and creates a lot of opportunities for us. But when he’s not out there, we have guys to step into those roles, take more shots, take more responsibility, and create more,” KP said after his stunning 30-point game at the Footprint Center. The Latvian ‘big guy’ then mentioned how Tatum wants to be present at all times.

“JT for sure is like an outlier. He wants to play every game and rarely misses anything. Even when the medical staff wants him to rest, he always pushes to play,” Porzingis shared to the media after the game. Again, why? “He understands that people pay a lot of money to come watch the Celtics play, especially him. So, that’s all to him.”  Kristaps said that fans should appreciate Tatum for his spirit and dedication.

It’s no secret that Tatum doesn’t like missing games on the road, especially where the Celtics are only in town once a season. Despite the team looking it preserve most of its players for the postseason run, there is hardly anyone stopping Tatum from turning up on the court in every game. For him, it’s about the fans. A couple of months ago, following the Celtics’ 109-86 road victory over the Houston Rockets, Tatum explained what motivates him to play every game on the road.

“Kids might’ve got this ticket for their birthday or Christmas, knowing that’s the only time I get to come in town. That’s why I never want to miss road games,” Tatum said. This was similar to what he had to say when asked about balancing his game time at this point of the season.

“I understand the balance of being fresh and stuff…I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to, (when) I come in arenas, I see a lot of Tatum ‘0’ jerseys and kids with my shoes on… I try to stay ready and play as much and often as I can — and especially games on the road,” he said.

The Celtics have been pushing through injuries to key players this season and yet sit second in the Eastern Conference. But with 9 regular games remaining and a playoff berth secured, it makes little sense to risk players at this stage.

Tatum was pushing to line up against the Suns, but the team, wisely, it seems, decided to leave him out. This meant that Jaylen Brown, who is also dealing with knee and various other ailments this season, had to push through his injury. Brown had missed four of the previous five games, and he left the fifth game with back spasms after scoring only five points. However, against the Suns, he was more in his rhythm, scoring 24 points on 7-for-15 shooting.

Top Comment by Anthony Bernardi

KP plays half the games. That’s basketball ???? today. I’m a Knicks fan. Lotta respect for the Celtics.

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Both Tatum and Brown will be pivotal to Boston’s hope of defending their title and could be expected to have more rest in the final nine games. But the Celtics staff will have a battle on their hands keeping Tatum and others away from action.

Following their win over the Nets a couple of weeks back, Porzingis, who missed eight straight games due to an illness, said he wants to get as many reps as possible before the playoffs. “Yeah, I wanna definitely play. I need to get in the best shape. Now, after the illness, it’s taken me a little bit. But yeah, with each day a little bit better,” he said.

The Celtics have hardly had the chance to start their preferred lineup of Tatum, Brown, Derrick White, Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday this season. With games running out, they face a challenge between resting players with any lingering ailments and ramping up minutes to playoff level before the postseason gets underway.

Meanwhile, Wednesday’s win over the Suns revealed who Joe Mazzulla’s reliable pieces are on the floor when his most important player is out. Jaylen Brown returned to form while Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and others were equally effective.

Yet, while Jayson Tatum battles to stay on the court, Joe Mazzulla faces a different challenge—crafting the perfect game plan. And against the Suns, he might have just cracked a major code, making a key adjustment that could shape the Celtics’ playoff run.

Joe Mazzulla may have found his secret formula with Kristaps Porziņģis playing a crucial role

During the post-game presser after the Boston Celtics pinned down the Phoenix Suns 132-102, Joe Mazzulla unveiled his strategy for the game they had just won. The reporters asked about Kristaps Porziņģis’ defensive contributions, specifically his role as the “low man” (a help defender near the basket). Acknowledging that many focus on his offensive skills, like shooting, the reporters wanted an insight into his impact on defense in certain possessions during the game.

The Celtics HC said: “The combination of Al, Luke, KP—those three guys playing together—we were able to really shift and protect the paint and take a lot of their stuff away. And KP kind of scared that, uh, you know, with his rim protection.”

Simply put, Joe Mazzulla highlighted the defensive impact of Al Horford, Luke Kornet, and Kristaps Porziņģis when they played together. He emphasized how their presence helped the Celtics control the paint and limit the Suns’ offensive opportunities. He also pointed out that Porzingis, in particular, was a major deterrent at the rim, making opponents hesitant to attack the basket.

With Tatum’s fire (even in his absence) and Mazzulla’s bold moves, the Celtics are cooking up something special. Porzingis, Horford, and Kornet turned the paint into a no-entry zone, leaving the Suns scrambling. The plan clicked; the win proved it. If Boston keeps rolling like this, their championship dream might just turn into reality again.