The Boston Celtics entered Wednesday night’s matchup against the Portland Trail Blazers riding high after a gritty 110-103 win over the Denver Nuggets. However, with key starters Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis all sidelined, Boston needed its role players to step up—and they answered the call.
Despite being listed as probable with left hip flexor tightness, Payton Pritchard was ultimately cleared to play and delivered the best performance of his career. The 2020 first-round pick exploded for a career-high 41 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while torching Portland from beyond the arc, knocking down 10 three-pointers.
Pritchard was not the only Celtics player to eclipse 40 points on Wednesday, as guard Derrick White finished with 41. The duo made history with their performances, as the NBA announced.
“Tonight, Payton Pritchard (10) and Derrick White (9) combined for the MOST THREES in a single game (19) in NBA history,” the NBA revealed via its history page on X. “Legendary night for the Celtics duo.”
Tonight, Payton Pritchard (10) and Derrick White (9) combined for the MOST THREES in a single game (19) in NBA history!
Legendary night for the Celtics duo. https://t.co/KwmhNGrXSa pic.twitter.com/9e4WXnCoGv
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 6, 2025
Speaking with reporters after the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla shared his immediate reaction to the historic night from his two guards.
“It’s more just the gratitude that we have them,” Mazzulla said. “It’s a luxury. Just the way they compete every night.”
I asked Joe Mazzulla what was going through his mind throughout Derrick White and Payton Pritchard’s offensive explosion:
“It’s more just the gratitude that we have them. It’s a luxury. Just the way they compete every night.” pic.twitter.com/RDlOTQ6jpO
— Noa Dalzell 🏀 (@NoaDalzell) March 6, 2025
Pritchard set the tone early, draining four three-pointers in the first quarter to rack up 12 points. He cooled off slightly in the second, adding six points on 2-of-5 shooting, but erupted after halftime with a jaw-dropping 22-point third quarter.
The 27-year-old guard went 7-for-8 from the field in third, including a scorching 6-of-7 from deep, putting the game out of reach from Portland. He capped off his historic night by adding six more points in the fourth quarter.
The Celtics, now winners of seven of their last ten games, will look to keep their momentum going as they prepare for a tough showdown against the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday night.
