Celtics' Buzzer-Beater King Demoralizes Trail Blazers

Payton Pritchard sinks two buzzer-beaters to end the first half, adding to his reputation as the NBA's clutch shot specialist.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 9:17am

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Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard continued his reputation as the NBA's premier buzzer-beater specialist, sinking two deep shots to end the first and second quarters in the Celtics' 102-94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. Pritchard first gained national attention for his clutch shooting during the Celtics' 2024 championship run, and he followed that up with more last-second heroics on Monday night.

Why it matters

Pritchard's ability to hit dagger shots at the end of quarters demoralizes opponents and swings momentum in the Celtics' favor. His unassuming appearance and small stature make his clutch shooting all the more improbable and impressive, adding to his growing legend as one of the NBA's most clutch players.

The details

Pritchard hit a 28-foot three-pointer to end the first quarter, giving the Celtics a 21-point lead. In the second quarter, he recovered a deflected ball and banked in a shot at the buzzer to put Boston up 15 points at halftime. Pritchard's scoring also came at key moments in the second half to stop Portland's comeback attempts.

  • Pritchard hit a buzzer-beater at the end of the first quarter.
  • Pritchard hit another buzzer-beater at the end of the second quarter.

The players

Payton Pritchard

A guard for the Boston Celtics who has developed a reputation as one of the NBA's top clutch shooters, particularly with his ability to hit buzzer-beaters.

Portland Trail Blazers

The opposing team that faced the Celtics and was on the receiving end of Pritchard's demoralizing buzzer-beaters.

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What they’re saying

“There's a gut-punch element to Pritchard's buzzer-beaters. A quarter seems to be over, and suddenly the Celtics collect unexpected points.”

— Sean Keane, Sportswriter and comedian (yardbarker.com)

The takeaway

Payton Pritchard's clutch shooting, particularly his ability to hit buzzer-beaters, has become a signature part of the Celtics' identity. His unassuming appearance only adds to the improbability and excitement of his last-second heroics, which can demoralize opponents and swing momentum in Boston's favor.