The 2024-25 NBA season is in full swing. After the first full week of games, only three teams remained undefeated: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, and Boston Celtics.
The Boston Celtics, who eventually suffered their first loss of the season on Wednesday night, entered this year without their ace big man, Kristaps Porzingis. He underwent foot surgery over the summer and isn’t scheduled to return until December. Still, the reigning champions have led the league in points per game, averaging 125.8 and outscoring their opponents by a margin of 11.4 per game.
Additionally, backup forward Sam Hauser has been absent since opening night with back pain, leaving a void in the Celtics’ rotation.
Payton Pritchard: An Unlikely Hero Emerges
In the last four games, Pritchard has averaged 19.5 points, shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 55 percent from three.
His performance on Monday against the Milwaukee Bucks was his best yet, hitting 10 of 14 field goals for 28 points in less than 28 minutes. Pritchard punctuated his exhibition with a breathtaking buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter; this has become a signature shot for Pritchard.
In recent years, head coach Joe Mazzulla has leveraged his roster’s extraordinary accuracy from beyond the arc. This is part of an offensive strategy that’s been dubbed “Mazzulla Ball” by the national media. Last season, the Celtics led the league with 42.5 three-point attempts per game. This season, the Celtics have made a concerted effort to attempt even more three-pointers, with a league-best 51.6 per game.
In the absences of Hauser and Porzingis, Pritchard has risen to the occasion, attempting 1.3 more three-pointers per game than the season prior. His 10.8 attempts per game rank second second amongst the Celtics, trailing only Jayson Tatum. His 16.3 points per game ranks fourth, behind Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Derrick White. That alone demonstrates the company that Pritchard has found himself in.
Doc Rivers on Payton Pritchard:
“He’s just tough. Little tough dude. He’s that little pest that gets under everyone’s skin. He’s gritty, smart, but he’s talented… He knows how to play basketball. He’s perfect for that team.” pic.twitter.com/MimlXxT3IT
— Justin Turpin (@JustinmTurpin) October 29, 2024
Pritchard aptly ranks fifth in minutes per game for the Celtics, behind all members of the team’s starting five not named Al Horford. If he can continue to perform at this level throughout the 2024-25 season, then he’ll surely find himself in the conversation for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Regardless, if this week is any indication of what’s in store for Pritchard, then we’re watching a player take an enormous leap before our very eyes.
Pritchard will look to continue his impressive streak on Friday when the Celtics head south to face the Charlotte Hornets.
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