On Wednesday night, the Boston Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-118. Payton Pritchard (43 points) and Derrick White (41 points) posted career highs. With three starters sidelined for the Celtics, including superstar Jayson Tatum, Boston needed Pritchard and White to step up. Notably, this was the first time in Celtics’ history that two players had scored 40-plus points in the same game. This is incredibly impressive, considering Boston’s unmatched history. Moreover, this is just the 26th time this feat has occurred in league history. Let’s further examine this historic night.
Payton Pritchard and Derrick White COOKED with no Tatum tonight:
Pritchard: 43 PTS | 10 3PM | 10 REB
FIRST Celtics duo to each score 40+ PTS in the same game pic.twitter.com/pelpze7l2i
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 6, 2025
Pritchard and White Make History in Celtics’ Win
A Historic Night in Many Ways
In addition to becoming the first Celtics duo to score 40 points in the same game, Pritchard and White became the first teammates to hit nine or more three-pointers in the same game. Pritchard netted 10 threes (one away from a franchise record), and White poured in nine triples. This is an impressive and somewhat surprising accomplishment, considering how long Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson played together. Both players were highly efficient, with Pritchard shooting 10-16 from beyond the arc and White shooting 9-16. Furthermore, Pritchard became the first player in NBA history to record 40 points, 10 threes, and 10 rebounds in a regulation game, highlighting the rarity of his performance.
Payton Pritchard is the 1st player in NBA history to record 40 points, 10 threes, and 10 rebounds in a regulation game. pic.twitter.com/Yg2643wJbO
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) March 6, 2025
During the game, Pritchard hit his 200th three-pointer of the season. As a result, the Celtics joined the 2016-17 Rockets and the 2022-23 Warriors as the third team in league history to have three players make 200-plus threes in a season, and there are still 20 regular season games left. Currently, White has 210 threes, Tatum has 206, and Pritchard has 203, all three of them ranked top 10 in made three-pointers. Ultimately, this accomplishment highlights the Celtics’ historic three-point shooting.
Pritchard and White Are Key to the Celtics’ Success
Throughout the season, both Pritchard and White have proven to be crucial parts of the Celtics. White has been an ideal complementary star next to Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The 30-year-old guard is having a career season averaging 16.7 points and has remained a consistent source of offense for Boston. Additionally, White’s clutch play and versatile defense have been central to Boston’s success.
Pritchard has been the front-runner for Sixth Man of the Year all season long, after a signature performance like this, he might have the award wrapped up. The 6-foot-1 guard has made massive strides this season, especially as a shot-creator, and has a solid all-around game, specifically as a rebounder, which was displayed on Wednesday night. Pritchard’s 876 total bench points lead the league by over 100 and he has the most three-pointers among bench players. After the game, head coach Joe Mazzulla praised Pritchard and White.
Joe Mazzulla to @John_Karalis about Payton Pritchard and Derrick White:
“It shows a lot about who they are — they do a lot of dirty work when we’re fully healthy.. to have a night like this where those two can show what they’re capable of was good for us. We’re lucky to have… pic.twitter.com/lkZnn2KJXx
— Noa Dalzell
(@NoaDalzell) March 6, 2025
Mazzulla’s three-point-centric system allows Pritchard and White to thrive. He also deserves credit for empowering these two guards in the offense and instilling them with confidence. Ultimately, as the Celtics gear up for the playoffs and their title defense, both players will remain pivotal.
Photo credit: © Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
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