Celtics Expect Payton Pritchard to Claim Sixth Man of the Year

PORTLAND, Ore. — Boston Celtics guard Jrue Holiday confidently declared that teammate Payton Pritchard deserves the NBA Sixth Man of the Year title. If Pritchard fails to receive the John Havlicek trophy by early May, Holiday suggests foul play. “If he’s not Sixth Man of the year, then this is rigged,” Holiday stated. “My man, he’s breaking records … We really need him.”

Pritchard has been a standout performer this season, breaking the single-season record for three-pointers made off the bench, with 232 of his 236 shots coming from that role, surpassing Wayne Ellington’s previous record of 218. He currently leads the NBA in bench points with 997, putting him on track to become only the fourth Celtics player to score 1,000 points off the bench in a season.

“What he brings to our team in terms of scoring and playmaking is critical,” Holiday added. This season, Pritchard’s versatility has allowed him to excel, with 22 games featuring five or more three-pointers, a franchise record.

Pritchard’s contributions were evident during a recent contest where he had his first start of the season against the Portland Trail Blazers. Despite early foul trouble, Pritchard made his presence felt. “We talked about it; I think his first points were against [Milwaukee] when I was with the Bucks,” Holiday recounted, referring to Pritchard’s NBA debut on December 23, 2020. “You could see that he always had a chip on his shoulder.”

The Celtics’ consistency is also paying off as they sit comfortably in the playoff picture, securing their fifth consecutive win with a 129-116 victory over the Blazers on Sunday. The Celtics are currently just five games behind the Cleveland Cavaliers for the top seed in the Eastern Conference, holding a 60-win pace with ten games remaining.

As they eye the playoffs, forward Sam Hauser reflected on the team’s ongoing adjustments. “We’re really just fine-tuning what we do well and getting better at what we need to work on,” he said, highlighting the team’s strategy to maximize their performance as the postseason approaches.

In Pritchard’s starting role, his hometown crowd welcomed him warmly. Despite facing early challenges with fouls, he responded with impressive three-point shooting when back on the court. “They did an unbelievable job,” Pritchard praised his teammates who stepped in during his absence.

As the Celtics continue to adapt their lineup with a mix of veterans and new faces, they emphasize the importance of staying focused and prepared for upcoming challenges. “We just talk about mindset wins and opportunities throughout the game,” Tatum added.

Looking ahead, the Celtics maintain high hopes, with Holiday and Pritchard leading the charge as they aim for a deep playoff run this season. The growing pressure and excitement surrounding Pritchard’s potential Sixth Man award only adds to the anticipation.