Inside The Celtics

The Top 5 Plays from Friday's Celtics-Suns Game

Friday's matchup between the Celtics and Suns is the latest installment in a series breaking down why the game's top five highlights unfolded how they did.

Bobby Krivitsky

Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports
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Jaylen Brown besting Mikal Bridges, Robert Williams turning a shot into a souvenir, and Ish Wainright's swish from the opposite end of the floor headline the breakdown of the top five plays from Friday's Celtics-Suns game.

Jaylen Brown's Pick-Six

If Deandre Ayton sets a legitimate screen, it might force Luke Kornet to switch onto Saben Lee or at least result in an opportunity to capitalize against drop coverage.

Instead, there's no advantage gained, and with Mikal Bridges not utilizing any force to separate from Jaylen Brown before popping out to get the ball, Brown sprints in front of the swing pass, picking it off and going in for a thunderous throwdown.

Brown Bests Mikal Bridges and Renders the Help Defense Irrelevant

It's an effective closeout by Bridges, and the paint is congested, but Brown's pass-fake and rip through get the Suns' stingiest defender to come out of his stance, then put too much weight on his front foot, leading to Brown getting across his face and into the middle of the floor.

From there, the now two-time All-Star gets deep into his bag before bursting toward the bucket despite Ayton and Dario Saric in a position to prevent him from getting there.

Brown comes with so much force he makes this look easy as he reaches his destination and finishes through contact.

Ish Wainright's Full-Court Swish

It's from the opposition, and it didn't count, but on a night where there weren't many highlight-worthy plays, it's best to have some fun and bring this moment to the attention to those who otherwise would have missed it.

Ish Wainright casually swishing a full-court toss on one leg was too good to leave off this list.

Robert Williams Turns Ish Wainright's Shot into a Souvenir

Perhaps feeling himself after heaving in a shot from the opposite end of the floor, Wainright figures he'd try his luck against Robert Williams. That doesn't work out in his favor as the Timelord quickly flips his hips as the former reaches the paint, then swats Wainright's shot into the stands.

Downtown Jaylen Brown

With Bridges staying at the three-point line, Brown calling Al Horford to screen for him serves as enough of a distraction to allow him to elevate for a clean look against his long-armed defender, burying a three from 34 feet that pulled Boston within six with 4:30 left.

Unfortunately for the hosts, they couldn't complete their comeback bid.

Further Reading

Here's What Stood Out in Celtics' Loss vs. Suns: Ice-Cold Shooting Has Boston Playing from Behind Nearly All Night

1:1 with Paul Pierce on What the Celtics-Lakers Rivalry Means to Him; Jayson Tatum's Growth, His Evaluation of Boston's Season, and More

A Potential Buyout Target and the Celtics are Reportedly Showing Mutual Interest

Celtics Reportedly Interested in Reunion with Kelly Olynyk

These Four Teams Reportedly Have Interest in Trading Celtics Guard Payton Pritchard

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Bobby Krivitsky
BOBBY KRIVITSKY

Bobby Krivitsky's experiences include covering the NBA as a credentialed reporter for Basketball Insiders. He's also a national sports talk host for SportsMap Radio, a network airing on 96 radio stations throughout the country. Additionally, he was a major-market host, update anchor, and producer for IMG Audio, and he worked for Bleacher Report as an NFL and NBA columnist.

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