Celtics reserve benched in Suns rout after challenge request fails

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Celtics reserve benched in Suns rout after challenge request fails

Brian Robb, Souichi Terada · MassLive

Wed, Feb 25, 2026 ·

2 min read

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PHOENIX — Jordan Walsh was playing well in Tuesday’s win against the Suns during his first half minutes before his evening came to an abrupt halt after an ill-advised challenge request.

Walsh fouled Suns guard Grayson Allen on a 3-point attempted with 2:36 remaining in the second quarter with Boston in the midst of a 14-0 run. Immediately after the call, Walsh desperately pleaded with the Celtics bench to challenge the whistle. Joe Mazzulla ultimately relented after consulting assistant coach Matt Reynolds, who watched a video review.

However, the foul call was upheld by officials after a video review and Allen was awarded three free throws. The Celtics were left without any more challenges for the rest of the night and Walsh was immediately taken out of the game by Mazzulla and replaced by Ron Harper Jr. after the failed challenge. Walsh did not re-enter the game for the final 28 minutes of Boston’s 97-81 win.

Walsh was not in the locker room for Celtics media availability after the victory but Mazzulla denied the benching was related to the ill-advised challenge request.

“That had nothing to do with it,” Mazzulla said. “I love that he wanted be to challenge. I’m always going to have the guys back and always going to build trust with those guys. That’s the most important thing, especially with the way he has to defend and how they have to compete. If you stick up for yourself, I’m always going to have your back.”

Walsh played a strong game before his benching, posting five points and four rebounds in nine minutes. He was expected to have a bigger role on Tuesday night with Jaylen Brown (knee) sidelined for the contest as Mazzulla went with a nine-man rotation in the first half that included Walsh. However, those plans changed after the challenge, as the Celtics coach played just eight guys before garbage time in the fourth quarter, with Walsh remaining on the bench.

Walsh’s second-half absence did not hurt Boston as the team got strong games from Baylor Scheierman (11 points, 11 rebounds) and Harper Jr. (eight points) as the duo saw a heavier minutes load with Brown sidelined and Walsh sitting out the second half.

The Celtics improved to 3-0 on their road trip with the victory and will now look to sweep the Western Conference road swing with a matchup against the Nuggets in Denver on Wednesday night.

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