Kemba Walker ties season-high as Celtics stop the Suns, 99-86

Cardiac Kemba showed his face tonight as the Boston Celtics slowed down the streaking Phoenix Suns, 99-86, as the Celtics won their ninth game in the last 11.

Kemba Walker tied a season-high tonight with 32 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 11-of-17 shooting from the field and 5-of-11 from downtown. Walker got it going early, scoring 11 first quarter points in the opening 12 minutes.

All-Star Jayson Tatum struggled in his second straight game, shooting just 3-of-17 from the field again, finishing with 15 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Marcus Smart scored 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists in his return. Tristan Thompson added 9 points and 11 rebounds.

Outside of Walker’s performance, it was the Celtics’ defense that shined tonight, holding the Suns to only 86 points on the night. Phoenix ranks seventh in the league in points per game, scoring 114.7 per contest.

As a team, the Suns shot an abysmal 17.1% on 3-pointers, making only 6-of-35 attempts. All-Star Devin Booker was held to just 15 points as he struggled with 5 turnovers before fouling out late in the fourth quarter.

Celtics All-Star Jaylen Brown missed tonight’s game due to a sore left shoulder. Robert Williams missed his fourth straight game with a knee injury. Evan Fournier remained out due to health and safety protocol.

Boston heads to Brooklyn in the second game of their back-to-back tomorrow.

This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook!