Boston Celtics
Pritchard stepped up as Jaylen Brown missed the second half of Boston’s again to again.
With no Jaylen Brown and on the second half of a again to again towards a Raptors group that entered the evening with the third greatest document within the Japanese Convention, the Celtics nonetheless discovered a approach to win on Saturday evening.
And no participant was extra impactful offensively within the Celtics’ win over the Raptors than Payton Pritchard. Pritchard scored a game-high 33 factors with 10 assists, and got here up three rebounds shy of a triple double.
Brown has been the offensive spark plug all season for the Celtics, averaging practically 30 factors per recreation this season. However Pritchard had no subject assuming that function for one evening.
The 27-year-old guard has had an up and down season to date. When Boston used its offseason to shed wage cap, it turned clear Pritchard would tackle an elevated function. He’s a full-time starter for the primary time in his profession, however that has additionally led to his worst profession 12 months when it comes to 3-point share.
Pritchard had a 40.7 3-point share in 2024 when he received the NBA’s sixth man of the 12 months award. That share has gone all the best way right down to 33 % practically a 3rd of the best way by this season.
That mentioned, Pritchard continues to be steadily enhancing as a participant, averaging 16.4 factors, 5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per recreation. All are career-highs for the guard.
Pritchard can also be changing into deadly in ways in which don’t revolve round his three level jumper. His midrange fadeaway has grow to be a key a part of his recreation, and he has been deadly capturing within the paint exterior of the restricted space. He went 6 of seven capturing from that space of the ground on Saturday, and on the season is capturing over 64 % from there.
Pritchard is without doubt one of the smaller guards within the league, however that hasn’t held him again from taking up extra workload every season. In 2025, he’s proving he cannot solely grasp in as a starter, however play high quality basketball for over half-hour an evening.
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