Payton Pritchard broke a record in the Boston Celtics 115-113 win over the Brooklyn Nets. He made his 219th three-pointer, breaking the record for the most three-pointers by a bench player in a single season. He shot 5-of-8 from beyond the arc, scoring 22 points. This record is even more impressive since the Celtics still have 14 games left in the regular season. Pritchard has a chance to shatter the record in the final weeks of the season. He is the leading candidate for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award, and this record could seal it.
Payton Pritchard Breaks the Record
Pritchard was impactful off the bench in Boston’s win over the Nets. His three-point shooting was a huge asset, especially when players went cold on the second night of a back-to-back. Jayson Tatum excelled in his playmaking but shot 1-of-7 from three. Kristaps Porzingis returned to the Celtics lineup after missing several games and shot 1-of-7 from three. Jrue Holiday shot 1-of-5 from three. Pritchard, on the other hand, shot an efficient 5-of-8. His reliable shooting was integral for the Celtics on a night when others’ shots weren’t falling.
The record-breaking three came at an important moment. In a close fourth quarter, he knocked down a corner three to extend the Celtics lead to 10. He made another three in the final minutes after that, putting him at 220 on the season, passing the previous record of 218. From there, they held on to secure the win. Part of the reason for Pritchard’s record is that he has not started this season. No matter how many Celtics are out or injured, Pritchard has always thrived in the sixth-man role. Head Coach Joe Mazzulla has had no desire to change that, even with starters missing games.
Awards and Playoff Concerns
The race for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award has been an interesting one with players like Ty Jerome, Malik Beasley, and De’Andre Hunter making leaps. Pritchard has set himself apart from the pack with this record. There have been multiple games this season he has taken over. He scored a career-high 43 points against the Portland Trail Blazers and has gone through many stretches where he cannot miss. When he catches fire, Pritchard is one of the most entertaining players to watch, with a shifty quickness to stun all sorts of defenders.
However, he is not a perfect player. His size makes for some fun creativity on offense but a massive liability on defense. When Pritchard is matched up with elite guards, he becomes a target. No matter his effort, a player like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander or Donovan Mitchell is going to score on Pritchard almost every time. This was proven correct in the Celtics loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Gilgeous-Alexander hunted Pritchard and scored on the smaller guard, and on offense, Pritchard could not answer. In the loss, he only scored 8 points on inefficient shooting.
Pritchard’s struggles against elite defenses and his defensive struggles make things concerning for the NBA Playoffs. He can score and light it up against teams like the Nets and Trailblazers, but come playoff time, he will not be facing teams of that caliber. If he can find a way to stay efficient from three without taking away touches from star players in the playoffs, it could go a long way for the Celtics.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, breaking the three-point record for bench players in a single season isn’t Pritchard’s only accolade this season. He is the leading candidate for NBA Sixth Man of the Year. The Celtics will compete for a back-to-back championship and need the guard to be at his best.
