Red-hot scoring performances from Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and James Harden headlined Wednesday’s NBA action:
⭐⭐TOP PERFORMERS⭐⭐
- James Harden: 50 points (14-24 FG, 16-20 FT), four rebounds, five assists, one steal, one block
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander: 41 points (14-25 FG), two rebounds, eight assists, two steals
- Payton Pritchard: 43 points (14-20 FG, 10-16 3PM), 10 rebounds, five assists
- Derrick White: 41 points (14-26 FG, 9-17 3PM), three rebounds, two assists, three steals, one block
Top Takeaways👉📝
- Payton Pritchard and Derrick White cement their place in the history books with prolific three-point shooting. Combining for 19 made threes is the most by a duo in NBA history. Additionally, Pritchard and White join Jayson Tatum in having sunk over 200 threes on the season. They stand in rare air alongside the 2016-17 Rockets and 2022-23 Warriors as the only trios in NBA history to reach that volume of made threes… and it only took them 62 games.
- James Harden was in takeover mode, giving ISO buckets and creating three-level advantages off-the-dribble Wednesday. The Clippers needed every bit of the 35-year-old’s elite performance, as Cade Cunningham (37 points, seven rebounds, 10 assists) went down fighting.
- Giannis Antetokounmpo becomes the 52nd player in NBA history to reach the 20,000 point milestone for his career. DeMar DeRozan passes Patrick Ewing to become the 27th highest scorer in league history. DeRozan is on pace to record is 25,000th point in coming weeks.
Payton Pritchard had a HISTORIC night for the @celtics tonight!
🎯 FIRST Celtic with 40+ PTS & 10+ 3PM in a game🎯 THIRD player ever with 40+ PTS & 10+ 3PM off the bench
🎯 THIRD player ever with 40+ PTS, 10+ REB, & 10+ 3PM, joining James Harden & Damian Lillard https://t.co/KwmhNGrXSa pic.twitter.com/YSDK1vovUr
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 6, 2025
🍀 Derrick White: 210 3PM 🍀 Jayson Tatum: 206 3PM
🍀 Payton Pritchard: 203 3PM
The third trio in NBA history to record 200+ 3PM each in the same season, joining:
2016-17 HOU: James Harden, Eric Gordon, Ryan Anderson
2022-23 GSW: Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, Jordan Poole pic.twitter.com/gwaCvQU1K4
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
20,000 points for Giannis Antetokounmpo👏👏
Antetokounmpo becomes the 52nd player in NBA history two reach the 20,000 point milestone in his career. A legendary accomplishment for the 30-year-old from Athens, Greece, who reached the threshold in 839 career games across his 12 seasons thus far.
20,000 points. 20,000 memories.
Keep changing the narrative, Giannis. pic.twitter.com/emriUUrzG3
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 6, 2025
Cavaliers survive, clinch playoffs🔒
A 12th straight victory almost turned into an overtime battle, but Cleveland beats Miami 112-107 after Duncan Robinson stepped out of bounds on his game-tying 3PA on Miami’s final possession. Cleveland tacked on two free throws to seal the deal, moving to a pristine 52-10 record.
Cleveland becomes the first team to clinch a playoff spot — a remarkable feat to accomplish on March 5.
Donovan Mitchell was the only Cavalier to exceed 16 points, finishing with 26 points (8-17 FG, 4-11 3PM, 6-7 FT), seven rebounds and five assists. Evan Mobley was sharp with 16 points points (7-10 FG, 2-7 FT) and 13 rebounds.
Bam Adebayo led all scorers with 34 points (11-19 FG, 3-5 3PM, 9-9 FT), contributing at all three levels. Wednesday marks his fourth game of the season hitting at least three triples. Kyle Anderson was an impactful defensive playmaker down the stretch while finishing with a sneaky seven points (3-8 FG), 11 rebounds and seven assists.
12 in a row for the Cavs 🔥
They join the 2006-07 Mavericks as the only two teams in NBA history with three 12+ game win streaks in a single season! pic.twitter.com/bZmfNE4CHi
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS☘️☘️
Boston’s duo of Payton Pritchard and Derrick White become the first teammates in NBA history to each log nine 3PM in a game🤯🤯🤯
Pritchard (43 points, 14-20 FG, 10-16 3PM) and White (39 points, 14-26 FG, 9-17 3PM) were on heatcheck mode Wednesday, burying three after three to lead the Celtics to a 128-118 victory over Portland.
While Pritchard did the majority of his damage in the first three quarters, the 27-year-old’s limitless range is jaw-dropping. He passes his previous career high of 38 points.
Payton Pritchard x Derrick White MASTERCLASS ☘️
🔥 First duo in NBA HISTORY with 9+ 3PT each
🔥 First duo in CELTICS HISTORY with 40+ PTS each
Boston wins 📈 pic.twitter.com/MsFprZsGwX
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 6, 2025
PAYTON PRITCHARD IS UNCONSCIOUS 🔥
He has 10 THREES in 3 Quarters 🎯 pic.twitter.com/tJ9ZOQY9Tj
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 6, 2025
Derrick White from DEEP 🔥
His 9th three-pointer‼️ pic.twitter.com/catzJOsdce
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 6, 2025
Beard Man gets paid🤑🤑
James Harden becomes the eighth oldest player in NBA history to have a 50-point game, as his 50 points (14-24 FG, 16-20 FT) four rebounds and five assists fueled a 123-115 victory over Detroit on Wednesday.
The 35-year-old will never truly return to “vintage form” given the offensive dominance of his prime, but Harden’s go-to moves were lethal Wednesday. Everything was working — from strong lefty drives, to pick-and-roll savvy to draw free throws, his floater in the lane, ad his signature side-step three — Harden ment business.
Norman Powell (hamstring) was unavailable due to what could become a multi-week absence. Harden is averaging 24.9 points, 7.9 assists and 5.6 rebounds in 15 games without Powell this season.
“I’ll rest when the season’s over.”
James Harden had the perfect walk-off line after dropping 50 PTS in the Clippers’ win 😤 pic.twitter.com/vMHg0J7qsx
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Another day, more Shai🧘🧘
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s unflappable scoring (41 points, 14-25 FG, 10-10 FT) kept Memphis at bay throughout Wednesday’s 120-103 victory.
A pivotal, successful challenge from Oklahoma City coach Mark Daigneault at the end of the first quarter helped enable this performance from Gilgeous-Alexander. The superstar guard had his second personal foul rescinded and changed into a foul on his defender with an and-1 opportunity.
Returning from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury, Ja Morant (24 points, 8-22 FG, six assists) led the Grizzlies in scoring and facilitating, but he also had five turnovers.
Brandon Clarke (13 points, 11 rebounds) was active and impactful on both ends of the floor. Scotty Pippen Jr. continues blossoming into a more confident shooter. He contributed across the board Wednesday, finishing with 15 points (6-9 FG, 2-3 3PM) five rebounds, five assists and three steals in just 21 minutes.
ANOTHER 40-PIECE FOR SHAI ‼️
⛈️ 41 PTS⛈️ 8 AST
⛈️ 2 STL
His league-leading 10th 40+ PT game gives the Thunder their 5th win in a row as they move to 51-11. pic.twitter.com/xypUNb0ow1
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Denver dominates Q4, completes comeback win
After trailing for almost the entirety of Wednesday’s contest, Denver limited Sacramento to 6-for-19 shooting en route to a 15-point advantage in the fourth quarter and ultimately a 116-110 victory.
DeMar DeRozan boomed for a game-high 35 points (14-32 FG) while tacking on six rebounds and five assists. He scored 18 points in the third quarter prior to being shut down in the fourth.
Zach LaVine (20 points, 7-16 FG) stepped up down the stretch to exchange clutch shots with Jamal Murray (24 points, 4-10 FG, 14-15 FT) and Russell Westbrook (25 points, 10-20 FG), but the Nuggets put together enough stops to emerge victorious.
Westbrook matched his season high with four made threes. He also chipped in five rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks.
Nikola Jokić — continuing to make the Superhuman look modest — finished with 22 points (9-18 FG), 15 rebounds and six assists, although he also had seven turnovers.
FINAL: Kings fall to the Nuggets, 116 -110.
👑 DeMar DeRozan: 35 PTS, 6 REB👑 Zach LaVine: 20 PTS, 6 AST
👑 Jonas Valančiūnas: 19 PTS, 13 REB
— Sacramento Kings (@SacramentoKings) March 6, 2025
Starting 5: Starring Anthony Edwards
But not the Netflix series. Minnesota’s starting lineup combined for 112 of the team’s 125 points as the Timberwolves beat Charlotte by 15 on Wednesday. Edwards and Jaden McDaniels (29 points, 10 rebounds) co-led the prodigious scoring. McDaniels is averaging 20.0 points and 8.1 rebounds across his last nine games.
Julius Randle flirted with a big time triple-double (25 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists). Naz Reid contributed a 13-point, 10-rebound double-double as well. Donte DiVincenzo rounded out the starting unit with an efficient 16 points (5-7 FG, 4-5 3PM, 2-2 FT)
LaMelo Ball’s star-power (28 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four turnovers) and Miles Bridges (23 points, nine rebounds, five assists) consistently strong two-way play kept the Hornets feisty, but Charlotte never came within 10 points throughout the final 15 minutes of Wednesday’s game.
A trio of Wolves went off for 83 PTS combined 😤
🐺 Edwards: 29 PTS | 6 AST | 6 3PT🐺 Randle: 25 PTS | 10 REB | 9 AST
🐺 McDaniels: 29 PTS | 10 REB@Timberwolves get the road W 🙌 pic.twitter.com/HghiuivJUI
— NBA TV (@NBATV) March 6, 2025
Fear the Deer🦌🦌
Kevin Porter Jr.’s 3rd career triple-double (10 points, 11 rebounds, 14 assists), as well as excellence from Giannis Antetokoumpo (32 points, 15 rebounds, four assists) and Damian Lillard (34 points, 11-15 FG, 7-7 FT), guided Milwaukee to a 137-103 win over the reeling Mavericks.
Antetokoumpo reaches 20,000 points for his career — becoming the sixth-youngest player to do so. The 30-year-old will climb into the top-50 scorers in NBA history over coming weeks. Antetokoumpo is on pace to pass Antoine Jamison, Tom Chambers and Joe Johnson down the stretch of the season.
Klay Thompson (28 points, 11-27) shouldered a heavy offensive burden for the Mavericks. Naji Marshall posted a more efficient 22 points (10-18 FG) to go along with 11 rebounds, but Dallas was wholly outmatched. The Mavericks attempted just 10 free throws in the game and lost the rebounding battle 55-30.
Giannis & Dame put in WORK to lead the Bucks to their 4th straight win 😤
Giannis: 32 PTS | 15 REB | 4 AST
Dame: 34 PTS | 5 AST | 2 STL | 5 3PM
Neither played in the fourth quarter… pic.twitter.com/PBz5kEINQW
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Third-career triple-double for KPJ.
10 PTS | 14 AST | 11 REB | 1 STL pic.twitter.com/2QRmJuPhPg
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) March 6, 2025
Everybody eats, but Wizards outlast Jazz
Washington beats Utah 125-122 in a contest where 13 players hit double-digit scoring. The Wizards dominated defensively, combining for 21 steals and blocks while turning the ball over just nine times.
Rookie Kyshawn George (23 points, seven rebounds) notched the third game of his young career with 20-plus points.
Johnny Juzang continues quietly rising as a development story for the Jazz. The 27-year-old matches his career-high 27 points (10-15 FG, 5-9 3PM) in efficient fashion.
Johnny: 27p | 7r | 2a | 1b | 5 3PMKyle: 23p | 13r | 1bIsaiah: 19p | 7r | 6a | 3sBrice: 15p | 4r | 3a | 1bCody: 12p | 3r | 2a | 1s
Svi: 11p | 6a | 1r#TakeNote presented by @LVT_USA pic.twitter.com/MMSRfT5ar3
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 6, 2025
Cade Cunningham and James Harden dueling⚔️⚔️
James Harden erupted for 23 first-quarter points (6-9 FG, 4-6 3PM, 7-8 FT) as the Clippers have jumped out to a 32-26 lead over Detroit.
Cade Cunningham has no plans to fade into the night, however. Detroit is 9-1 in their last 10 games and Cunningham has 12 early points (6-11 FG) of his own.
JAMES HARDEN WITH 23 PTS IN THE 1Q ‼️
Clippers leading after 1 on NBA League Pass. pic.twitter.com/nJzZJt16Lt
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Cade leading the one-man fastbreak with the spin move 🌀
Pistons/Clippers underway on NBA League Pass! pic.twitter.com/6qW7KwvOMu
— NBA (@NBA) March 6, 2025
Bottomless shooting🎯🎯
INSANE SHOOTING DISPLAY FROM PAYTON PRITCHARD AND DERRICK WHITE.
No Jayson Tatum (shoulder) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness)? No problem. White and Pritchard have combined for 42 points, largely fueled by a booming 11-for-18 3PM.
Boston leads Portland 66-55 at halftime.
What a half for Derrick and Payton 🥵
42 PTS
11 3PM pic.twitter.com/OF7k4GLlJW
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) March 6, 2025
Big O with NBA impact
Oscar Tshiebwe is providing his standard dominance as a rebounder while showing off some nifty finishing in his sixth game with the Jazz. Tshiebwe, the most dominant rebounder in G League history, has four points and eight rebounds in nine minutes at halftime.
It’s a battle of youth as Washington leads Utah by seven at the break. Rookie Alex Sarr leads all scorers with 16 points (6-9 FG), while Kyle Filipowski has 15 points (6-10 FG) of his own.
Oscar’s got 𝗘𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 rebounds early + this fancy bucket 🚨#TakeNote | @Jesusiscallin20 pic.twitter.com/pzK6jDR0pS
— Utah Jazz (@utahjazz) March 6, 2025
Ty Jerome looking twitchy👀👀
Known for his killer floater and prolific shooting this season, Jerome punishes the closeout, fakes the floater, collapses the defense, and throws the quick lob for Evan Mobley to gather and finish. Beautiful ball.
The Predicament puts defenses in predicaments. #LetEmKnow pic.twitter.com/XIw4MoBnO3
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) March 6, 2025
Kevin Love returns to Cleveland
NBA Champion Kevin Love returns to the place where he hoisted the Larry O’Brien trophy in 2016. The 36-year-old will start for Miami alongside Alec Burks and Bam Adebayo in a short-handed frontcourt Wednesday.
This superfan got a jersey signed by Kevin Love in his return to Cleveland 🥹
Heat/Cavs is on ESPN at 7:00pm/et! pic.twitter.com/4U2fJrQdYq
— NBA (@NBA) March 5, 2025
