Celtics hold off Trail Blazers 102-94 as Payton Pritchard hits two buzzer-beaters

Boston jumps ahead early and controls most of the night

The Celtics beat the Trail Blazers 102-94 on Monday night in Boston, leaning on a strong start and timely shot-making to avoid letting the game slip away late. Payton Pritchard led the way with 23 points and delivered buzzer-beaters to end both the first and second quarters, helping Boston establish control even as Portland settled in.

Jaylen Brown scored 20, and Derrick White chipped in 18 for Boston. The Celtics opened a large lead—at one point up 23—before Portland made a serious push in the final minutes. With the margin down to five late, White knocked down a crucial three and then made a defensive play that helped seal the outcome.

Portland’s comeback falls short

Jerami Grant led Portland with 19 points, and center Donovan Clingan pulled down 15 rebounds as the Trail Blazers tried to grind their way back into the contest. Portland’s defense tightened after the first quarter, and the offense found more rhythm in the second half, but the early hole proved too deep.

The closing stretch highlighted the difference between a comeback attempt and finishing a comeback. Portland generated chances and trimmed the lead, but Boston’s timely shooting and ball pressure prevented the Trail Blazers from getting the final stop-and-score sequence they needed.

What the win signals for Boston

For the Celtics, the result reinforced the value of bench scoring and quick-hit momentum plays—especially during stretches when outside shooting can run hot and cold. Pritchard’s two end-of-quarter daggers gave Boston extra breathing room, and that cushion mattered when the game tightened late.

Boston now turns to its next matchup with confidence that it can win in multiple ways: by building a lead early, absorbing an opponent’s run, and responding with execution when the margin shrinks. Portland, meanwhile, will look to clean up first-quarter lapses that can tilt the entire night.