Former Oregon Ducks and West Linn High School star Payton Pritchard had a career night for the Boston Celtics during Wednesday’s 128-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Pritchard came off the bench to score a career-high 43 points on 14-of-20 shooting. He made a career-best 10 three-pointers on 16 attempts and also produced 10 rebounds with five assists.
Pritchard fell one three-point field goal short of the franchise record of 11 set by Marcus Smart.
There’s more. Pritchard and Boston’s guard Derrick White etched their names in both NBA and Celtics history.
White scored 41 points while sinking 9 of 17 threes. They became the first NBA duo to each sink at least nine threes in a game.
Also, the pair’s 84 points are the most ever scored by two Celtics. Plus, they became the first Boston duo to each score at least 40 points in a game. These feats are made more amazing given the Celtics’ rich history, which includes legends Larry Bird, Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy, Kevin McHale, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.
Pritchard said there wasn’t a specific moment when he felt like he had the hot hand. He sought only to play smart basketball.
“When I’m processing the game, it’s just about taking the right shots, making the right reads,” Pritchard told reporters at TD Garden. “I feel like if I do that, and obviously, if you get enough attempts, it should be a good night, regardless. I mean, obviously you’re gonna have your mdown nights. But for the most part, I just pride myself on making the right read every time.”
Blazers coach Chauncey Billups, who played 17 years in the NBA, said he couldn’t recall ever seeing two teammates go off like that before.
“I haven’t been part of a game like that,” Billups told reporters. “But two guys like that, I haven’t seen it.”
Portland Trail Blazers v Boston Celtics
Anfernee Simons #1 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket against Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics during the second half at TD Garden on March 05, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)Getty Images
The duo more than made up for starters Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis sitting out with injuries.
“They were tremendous,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla told reporters of Pritchard and White. “I think with guys out and playing against a really good Portland team, we knew we were gonna need to have guys step up. And the way those two played just shows a lot about who they are. They do a lot of the dirty stuff when we’re fully healthy. They do a lot of the things for the team. And to have a night like this where those two can show what they’re capable of, was big for us. We’re lucky to have him, and it was a lot of fun to watch him do that.”
Pritchard did more than just score. He added 10 rebounds with five assists. Mazzulla said Pritchard is capable of impacting a game in many ways and showed that on Wednesday.
“Just really takes pride in his competitive nature and becoming a well-rounded player,” Mazzulla said.
Pritchard, the team’s backup point guard, is having the best season of his five-year career, averaging 13.9 points and 3.4 assists in 27.9 minutes.
Pritchard credited his commitment to his craft.
“I think the work over time has built up to supreme confidence,” Pritchard said. “And then having my teammates and the coaches to have the confidence in me now, to allow me to have nights like this. So, it’s a little bit of both, but I always go back to the work. Over time, it just builds and builds and builds. And finally, you’re seeing nights like this.”
Tripling up his average against his hometown was a great experience for Pritchard.
“It’s always fun playing the Blazers,” he said. “Grew up going to games, watching the Blazers. So, it’s special to play your hometown team and to go out and get a W and play well.”
Pritchard entered the fourth quarter 10 made threes and attempted just one more. The Celtics led by as much as 25, but the Blazers came back to get to within eight with a couple of minutes remaining.
Pritchard said chasing the franchise record of 11 never entered his mind.
“I didn’t even know I had 10 threes at the moment,” Pritchard said. “But I wouldn’t have gunned for it anyways, because then it just sets a new standard. So, I got something to eventually go for and hopefully I’ll break one day.”
For Pritchard, securing the win was the main concern in the fourth quarter.
“They made a little push,” he said. “So, I wasn’t going to force a look that wasn’t there. I feel like that’s disrespectful to the game, disrespectful to my teammates. But if I got into the flow and took a shot that was a good shot for us and broke it that way, then that’s the right way to break it.”
Pritchard said the fans' chants and cheers enhance the experience
“Definitely special,” he said. “Just having the crowd behind you. I know I have a lot of love out here, which I definitely appreciate. So, to have a night like this and see the crowd get behind me, makes me keep going and keep working hard.”
-- Aaron Fentress | afentress@Oregonian.com | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook)