Berrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Jayson Tatum Breaking Celtics Team Record for Threes in a Game
The Boston Celtics are one of the most storied franchises in NBA history. With 18 championship banners hanging from the rafters of TD Garden and legends like Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, and Bill Russell defining past eras, the team has always held itself to the highest standards. But even in a franchise known for legacy and greatness, history can still be made.
On a cool August night in Boston, three players—Berrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Jayson Tatum—lit up the court in a way never seen before in Celtics history. Together, they broke the team’s long-standing record for most three-pointers made in a single game, combining for an astonishing 27 of the team’s 30 threes en route to a dominant win.
It wasn’t just a hot shooting night. It was a demonstration of modern basketball efficiency, flawless execution, and individual brilliance within a collective system. What unfolded over four quarters was more than a game—it was a historic performance that shook the NBA landscape and cemented the Celtics’ status as a title contender once again.
For fans unfamiliar with Berrick White, that changed by the end of the second quarter. Previously known for his scrappy defense and high-energy play, White took center stage with a career-high 10 three-pointers, showing off a newly refined shooting form and the confidence of a seasoned scorer.
White hit his first four threes in the opening six minutes of the game, igniting a rhythm that would carry through the night. By halftime, he had already tied his personal best. What made his performance particularly electrifying was the variety of his shots—catch-and-shoot, step-back, and off-screen looks that all fell with surgical precision.
Fans roared with each make, but perhaps even more impressive was how White adapted within the offense. He didn’t force shots or dominate the ball—he simply found his spots and punished defensive lapses. His efforts were a culmination of offseason work, something he spoke about postgame:
“I’ve been working on consistency and rhythm,” White said. “I’ve always believed I could shoot it. Tonight, it just all came together.”
Payton Pritchard has never lacked confidence. The 6-foot-1 guard has made a name for himself as one of the NBA’s most dangerous microwave scorers off the bench. On this night, he showed exactly why.
With the Celtics nursing a slim lead in the second quarter, Pritchard erupted. In just eight minutes of game time, he drilled six three-pointers, stretching the defense and injecting a new energy into the arena. By game’s end, Pritchard had nailed nine threes—just one shy of tying Marcus Smart’s franchise record for a reserve player.
What separates Pritchard from typical bench scorers is his shot creation. His ability to use hesitations, crossovers, and step-backs allowed him to shoot over defenders or create enough space to let it fly. He was lethal in transition and decisive in half-court sets.
“I just saw the ball go in early, and from there, it was about staying aggressive,” Pritchard said. “My teammates trusted me, and Coach told me to let it fly.”
Let it fly, he did. And in doing so, he not only helped break a record but also made a strong case for Sixth Man of the Year consideration.
Jayson Tatum, the face of the Celtics, didn’t have to score 50 points or take over the game. Instead, he seamlessly integrated himself into the team’s rhythm, delivering eight three-pointers and showcasing a well-rounded game that included seven rebounds and six assists.
Tatum’s performance was the perfect embodiment of superstar maturity. He picked his spots, passed out of double teams, and knocked down shots when the team needed a stabilizer. His shooting display was clean—he hit 8-of-11 from deep and made it look effortless.
In the third quarter, when the opposing team made a run, Tatum responded with back-to-back threes that effectively ended the comeback hopes. These were veteran plays from a player who has grown into not just a scorer, but a leader.
“Records are great, but the way we did it—that’s what I’m proud of,” said Tatum. “Berrick and Payton were on fire. I just did my part to keep the train moving.”
What makes the record even more impressive is that it wasn’t built on individual isolation plays. The Celtics moved the ball, set clean screens, and kept spacing optimal. Every three was the result of teamwork and trust—a testament to head coach Joe Mazzulla’s system.“We’re not chasing records. We’re chasing execution,” he said. “The threes are just a result of our spacing and unselfish play.”
Still, the coaching staff deserves credit for recognizing the shift in modern basketball and leaning fully into it. Under Mazzulla, the Celtics have embraced a more fluid, high-octane offense. Gone are the isolation-heavy sets of past seasons—this team now relies on drive-and-kick, motion, and off-ball movement to create space.
In this particular game, Boston took advantage of a slow perimeter defense and punished every rotation with quick passes and clean looks.
The previous team record stood at 27 three-pointers, set in a 2023 matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks. That game featured big performances from Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but it lacked the balance and unpredictability shown in this latest effort.
Breaking that record with contributions from both starters and bench players is what makes this performance so meaningful. It wasn’t just a one-man show; it was a full-team, full-effort explosion from deep.
As the regular season nears its final stretch, this performance comes at the perfect time. It sends a message to the rest of the league that the Celtics are not just defensively elite, but offensively terrifying when hot.
It also creates a problem for future opponents: Who do you guard? If Tatum, White, and Pritchard can all drop multiple threes on a given night, defenses will have to pick their poison. And that’s not even mentioning Jaylen Brown or Al Horford, who can also shoot the three at a high clip.
More importantly, it gives Boston something else—a swagger. Teams who break records usually carry an added edge, a belief that when they play their game, no one can beat them.
The Celtics faithful at TD Garden were treated to a night they won’t forget. Social media exploded with praise, memes, and highlight reels.
“Best shooting night in franchise history. Let’s raise another banner,” one fan posted on X.NBA analysts on ESPN and TNT couldn’t stop talking about the team’s chemistry and White’s breakout.Even rival players chimed in. Damian Lillard tweeted, “Sheesh. 30 threes? Respect.”
This wasn’t just another win. It was a declaration.
When three players combine to rewrite the record books, it’s more than a headline—it’s history. Berrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Jayson Tatum have inscribed their names into Boston Celtics lore. More than that, they’ve pushed the boundaries of what’s possible within team basketball.
As the season continues and the playoffs loom, one thing is clear: The Celtics can shoot with anyone—and now they’ve got the record to prove it.
