Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard has put the NBA world on notice with his preseason play. The fourth-year sharpshooter has put together three brilliant performances for the Celtics, averaging 21.3 points on 52.3% shooting in only 25.3 minutes per game.
Pritchard finished as Boston’s leading scorer in each preseason contest while coming off the bench for all three of them. The 24-year-old sparkplug has nailed a blistering 41.9% of his threes, and he has further dominated inside the arc. Pritchard has hit 10 of his 13 two-point attempts for an incredible 76.9% conversion rate.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, Pritchard agreed to a four-year, $30 million extension just hours before his first preseason game. He immediately torched the Philadelphia 76ers for 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field.
Pritchard spoke to Abby Chin of NBC Sports Boston about his red-hot form and team-first mentality in his postgame interview.
“I think I just always play with a chip on my shoulder,” Pritchard said. “I’ve been that way since [I was] a young kid … I’m just trying to do what the team needs, and we’re trying to go after something great this year. That’s doing whatever it takes.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Payton Pritchard & Boston Celtics Updates
Despite the new security that comes with his extension, Pritchard plans to work even harder now that the Celtics have paid him.
“This is only gonna make me work harder,” Pritchard said. “The work only continues now.”
Pritchard struggled last season as he found himself stuck in a point guard logjam that included Derrick White, Marcus Smart, and Malcolm Brogdon. Pritchard recorded career lows in countless statistical categories, starting with his career-low 13.1 minutes per game and career-low 48 games played.
Pritchard’s 5.6 points per game marked his worst scoring average ever, and he averaged his fewest number of assists and rebounds as well. P-Rabbit also hit career lows in field goals made, field goal percentage, free throw percentage, 3-pointers made, and 3-point percentage.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Payton Pritchard & Boston Celtics Updates
With Smart and Brogdon no longer in Boston, Pritchard is primed for a bounceback season. According to teammate Sam Hauser, the former Oregon star is “out for blood this year.”
Pritchard worked as hard as anyone over the summer, and he explained some of his unique training tactics during a sit-down interview for The Celtics Files.
“Actually, I pay some of my homeboys … the ones that play overseas and stuff,” Pritchard said. “I’ll pay them for the week to come out, and all they have to do is just guard me. I’ll put them up in a little spot wherever I’m at and pay them for the week … For those hours, we play little games to five. If they get a certain amount of stops, they win … They ain’t winning much.”
Pritchard’s willingness to play hundreds of live possessions against professional hoopers in the offseason perfectly illustrates the type of commitment he has dedicated to the Celtics. Following his topsy-turvy 2022-23 campaign, Pritchard took some time to clear his mind and rediscover the self-belief that helped him make the NBA in the first place.
“I kind of took a step away this summer,” Pritchard said. “Went back to work, cleared my mind, and I came back … I love the city of Boston, and I love this organization. This is home to me … They believe that I can help this team win at the highest of levels. I just wanna prove them right.”
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Payton Pritchard & Boston Celtics Updates
Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has shown plenty of praise for Pritchard and the determination he has shown in Boston. Before the preseason opener, Mazzulla addressed Pritchard and his contract extension in a press conference.
“Payton’s one of my favorite people,” Mazzulla said, per NBC Sports Boston. “Most guys in his position … the league breaks them. The league can break people. You know, he’s not one of those guys. He continues to be a tough ‘SOB’ for us. I’m happy that I get to coach him this year.”
Pritchard’s resilience could pay off in a big way this season. After all, he should return to the limelight as a consistent contributor for Boston. Sixth Man of the Year rumblings have already begun, and Pritchard’s preseason performances certainly indicate such a possibility.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Payton Pritchard & Boston Celtics Updates
Following his 26-point game against Philly, Pritchard spoke about his love for Boston in a postgame presser. He also addressed the security that came with his new extension.
“It feels really good … just to be secure, lock it in … be a part of a great organization, a great city,” Pritchard said, per NBC Sports Boston. “Obviously, I think this is the best basketball organization and city in the NBA.”
With Boston firmly locked into contention for an 18th championship, Pritchard will aim to help Jayson Tatum and the new-look Celtics in their quest for basketball glory.
