1. An apparatus, comprising: an array of memory cells; a page buffer configured to store a number of pages of data in respective caches of the page buffer; and a controller coupled to the page buffer and the array and configured to perform a programming operation to program the number of pages of data to a first group of cells in the array; wherein the programming operation comprises: programming the first group of cells to target states encoded with respective data patterns; and incrementally releasing: a first of the respective caches of the page buffer responsive to completing programming of those cells of the first group being programmed to a particular first one of the target states; and a second of the respective caches of the page buffer responsive to completing programming of those cells of the first group being programmed to a particular second one of the target states.