Pritchard puts 40-point game down to hard work after Celtics beat Trail Blazers

Despite Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis all sitting out here, the Celtics won 128-118 to leave them second in the Eastern Conference.

Pritchard also had a career-best 10 three-pointers, while Derrick White hit 41 points and nine 3s, making the pair the first Celtics duo to score 40 or more points in the same game.

They also became the first pair of team-mates in NBA history to have their first 40-point games in the same game and, according to Pritchard, it was the culmination of his hard work.

The first Celtics duo EVER to drop 40+ each pic.twitter.com/a8UWxDp9cG

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 6, 2025

"I think the work over time has built up to supreme confidence," he said. "Then having my teammates and coaches to have the confidence in me now to allow me to have nights like this. ... It just builds and builds, and finally you see it on nights like this."

As an added layer of narrative, Pritchard's performance came against the team he watched growing up.

"It's always fun playing the Blazers," he said. "Credit to my teammates who kept finding me in good positions, and I was able to stay hot."

Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla echoed Pritchard's comments in that both his and White's nights were a testament to the work they had put in off the court.