Payton Pritchard and Derrick White made Boston Celtics history by becoming the first duo in franchise history to score at least 40 points in the same game. In a stunning 128-118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, Pritchard erupted for a career-high 43 points while hitting 10 three-pointers, while White poured in a career-high 41 points with nine threes of his own.
Their incredible performances not only cemented their place in Celtics lore but also set a new NBA record—no two teammates had ever hit at least nine three-pointers in the same game before.
What makes this feat even more incredible is that just a week ago, Jayson Tatum (46 points) and Jaylen Brown (37 points) had their best combined scoring performance as teammates, setting a new Celtics record with 83 points. Now, Pritchard and White have surpassed them.
The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Kristaps Porzingis, leaving a massive scoring void. Pritchard and White stepped up in ways few could have predicted, combining for 84 points on 19-of-33 shooting from beyond the arc.
Given the franchise’s long history, featuring legends like Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Kevin McHale, and Bill Russell, it is shocking that no duo had ever accomplished such a feat before.
Pritchard, who has been a key role player off the bench, seized his opportunity with a 43-point explosion. He shot an efficient 14-of-20 from the field and 10-of-16 from deep, adding 10 rebounds and five assists to complete an all-around performance. His ability to hit from long range was remarkable, as two of his three-pointers came from 29 feet out, leaving the Boston crowd in awe.
Before this game, Pritchard’s previous career high was 38 points, and he had never hit more than nine threes in a game. Now, he is just the fourth player in Celtics history to make 10 or more three-pointers in a single game, joining Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Sam Hauser.
Despite having a chance to break the franchise record of 11 three-pointers in a game, Pritchard prioritized the win over personal accolades. While Pritchard stole headlines, White was just as dominant.
His 41 points shattered his previous career high of 33, and his nine three-pointers surpassed his previous best of eight. White also contributed three steals, a block, and several clutch buckets in the fourth quarter to help the Celtics hold off the Blazers.
White’s hot streak began in the second quarter, where he hit three consecutive threes in a span of 90 seconds, completely shifting the momentum in Boston’s favor. By the end of the game, he had left his mark as a key offensive weapon, proving he is more than just a defensive specialist.
This game showcased Boston’s incredible depth. With superstars sidelined, two unlikely heroes stepped up and delivered a performance for the ages. Pritchard and White may not always be the Celtics’ primary scorers, but on this night, they etched their names into the franchise’s history books.
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