On his podcast, The Old Man and the Three, retired NBA player JJ Redick discussed the league’s unsung heroes. One of the names he mentioned was Boston Celtics bench guard Payton Pritchard. Pritchard has been an essential player for Boston this season. He has stepped up when fellow teammates get injured and made critical plays.
It is possible that Pritchard is one of the Celtics’ most important bench players in a very long time. Boston drafted him in the first round, and he has grown immensely since then. This season has been his breakout one. Pritchard will be a vital part of a deep playoff run.
Boston Celtics Energy Shifter
JJ Redick named Payton Pritchard one of three unsung heroes in the Eastern Conference:
"There are certain guys when they enter the game, the energy shifts, the flow shifts. More times than not, when Payton Pritchard enters the game, that energy shifts."
(Via @OldManAndThree) pic.twitter.com/vLPQ1eMhwE
— Noa Dalzell ? (@NoaDalzellNBA) March 25, 2024
JJ Redick stated that Pritchard is a “hooper’s hooper.” At 6’1″, the point guard is typically the shortest guy on the floor every game. However, due to his immense drive and love for the game, he plays as if he’s a 7 footer. When head coach Joe Mazzulla puts Pritchard into games, the energy in the Garden spikes to new levels. Oftentimes, the game immediately shifts as Pritchard is capable of hitting timely 3-pointers, fantastic assists, and boxing out some of the largest opponents.
Any night, fans can expect Payton Pritchard to fly into the paint and snag an impossible board. It’s as if he knows where the ball is going to be. Just by watching his game, it seems like Pritchard graduated from the school of Marcus Smart. He’s playing tougher, scrappier, and hungrier.
What the Stats Say for Boston Celtics Guard
Payton Pritchard has been with the Boston Celtics for 4 seasons. Every year he has a spike in his stats. This year, he is averaging 8.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 3.1 assists. Last season, he had 5.6 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.3 assists. Also, he went from playing 13.4 minutes to 21.5. This shows how his role on the team has increased. This is coming off of a summer where Pritchard himself stated that he may look to sign with another team so he can play more. However, he chose to resign with the Celtics, and since then, he has been playing on another level.
What to Expect from Pritchard in the Playoffs
Last season, the Boston Celtics took a hard series loss to Miami in the Eastern Conference Finals. This year, they are looking to have a much cleaner run and hopefully come out with their first NBA Championship since 2008. Payton Pritchard will play a vital role in this. There were moments in the last playoffs where it seemed like the Celtics lost their will to continue.
With the way Pritchard has evolved, look for him to be put into games during these moments. He will most likely be used as a battery pack for the team. If he can continue this gameplay and help the Celtics raise banner 18, there is no question his minutes and stats go up again next season.
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Elizabeth is an avid watcher of all things sports. However, the Boston sports teams will always be her number one. Follow her on Twitter @edellapiana1 .
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