Don’t call Payton Pritchard a specialist. Yes, he got spot minutes in his first four years as a three-point marksman for the Boston Celtics. But he is more than just a sniper from downtown.
The five-year pro is proving as much this 2024–25 NBA season, which is shaping up to be a career year for the 26-year-old guard. Through his first 33 games thus far, Pritchard has been averaging career-highs (15.7), rebounds (3.9), steals (1.0), and minutes (27.8). He is also shooting a career-best 41.3% from the arc, making more than three every game.
This marksmanship, of course, is his calling card—it was before, it is still now. But he is also running the Celtics’ offense, defending pretty well, and even attacking off the dribble from time to time. In short, he is playing a more well-rounded game for the defending champions and is now one of their primary weapons off what is suddenly a deeper bench.
Pritchard isn’t flashy, but he’s very effective. And he just might be the league’s best sixth man—or at least its most reliable one.
