Celtics Make History: Pritchard and White Each Score 40+ in Portland Thriller

Historic Night in Portland: Celtics' Duo Makes Franchise History

In a stunning display of offensive firepower, the Boston Celtics defeated the Portland Trail Blazers 128-118 on March 5th at the Moda Center, with Payton Pritchard and Derrick White making franchise history. For the first time ever, two Celtics players scored 40+ points in the same game, with Pritchard dropping a career-high 43 points and White contributing 41 points of his own.

Shorthanded Celtics Showcase Remarkable Depth

With stars Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis sidelined due to injuries, Boston's supporting cast stepped into the spotlight. Pritchard, returning to his home state of Oregon, shot an efficient 15-of-21 from the field, including 9-of-14 from three-point range. The West Linn native seemed especially motivated playing in front of family and friends.

"It means everything to come home and have a night like this," Pritchard said in his post-game interview. "When we're missing our main guys, everyone has to step up, and tonight was just my night."

White's All-Around Excellence Complements Pritchard's Shooting

While Pritchard was lighting it up from deep, White showcased his complete skillset with 41 points, 7 assists, and 5 rebounds. The versatile guard controlled the game's tempo and provided lockdown defense on Portland's backcourt when it mattered most.

"Derrick and Payton were just incredible tonight," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla said. "That's the beauty of this team—we have guys who can step up on any given night."

Blazers' Valiant Effort Falls Short

Despite the loss, Portland put forth a competitive effort behind Deandre Ayton's 22-point, 10-rebound double-double. Rookie Scoot Henderson added 19 points and 8 assists, while veteran Jerami Grant contributed 20 points.

The Blazers managed to cut Boston's lead to single digits several times in the fourth quarter, but the Celtics' historic offensive output proved too much to overcome.

Championship Implications for Boston

This victory extends the Celtics' lead atop the Eastern Conference standings and reinforces their status as championship favorites. More importantly, it demonstrates Boston's remarkable depth—a crucial factor for postseason success.

For a team with championship aspirations, having role players capable of dominant performances provides an extra dimension that could prove decisive in a seven-game series.

Looking Ahead

As the regular season enters its final stretch, Boston will look to maintain momentum while gradually reintegrating their star players. Meanwhile, Pritchard and White have proven they can carry the offensive load when called upon—a luxury few contenders possess.

This historic performance adds another chapter to the storied Celtics franchise and serves as a reminder of why this iteration of the team remains the favorite to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy in June.

The Celtics continue their West Coast road trip on Friday against the Golden State Warriors, while Portland hosts the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday.