Payton Pritchard had a historic night for the Boston Celtics. He scored a career-high 43 points with ten three-pointers. In a game where Boston was down three starters, including Jayson Tatum, Pritchard played one of the best games of his career, all while coming off the bench. This game puts him in historic company. Pritchard is the only player ever to have a 40-point game with no turnovers, ten three-pointers, 70% shooting, 10 rebounds, and five assists coming off the bench. Payton Pritchard joins Stephen Curry as the only two players with 40 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, 10 threes, and no turnovers in a game.
Payton Pritchard’s Historic Performance
In a game with no Tatum, Jrue Holiday, or Kristaps Porzingis, Payton Pritchard was given far more opportunities with the ball in his hands. His efforts, along with Derrick White, who scored 41, propelled the Celtics to a 128-118 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. While the Trailblazers are below .500, they are no slouch. They entered winning five of their last six, and with multiple Boston starters out, an upset was more than possible. But Pritchard started the game hot. He knocked down four three-pointers in the first quarter and had five by halftime.
Payton Pritchard scored 18 points in the first half but did not stop there. In the third quarter, Pritchard caught fire. He continued to rain down three-pointers, helping the Celtics extend their lead. And these were not just open catch-and-shoot threes. He was hitting them off the dribble and multiple feet behind the three-point line. The crowd in the TD Garden erupted as fans realized the performance they were witnessing. Payton Pritchard made five three-pointers in the third quarter, giving him ten in the game. It was a career-high. Pritchard didn’t make another three in the fourth quarter but finished with 43 points.
Payton Pritchard and White had excellent games shooting beyond the arc. But Pritchard also got a few crafty buckets in the paint. Even with his small size, he is quick and shifty enough to score on larger defenders inside. With Tatum out, many expected Jaylen Brown to take the scoring lead, but it was Pritchard and White. They became the first duo ever in Celtics history to score over 40 points apiece in a game. It is a stat that sounds fake, given Boston’s history, but it is surprisingly true. Not Tatum and Brown, Bird and McHale, Pierce and Garnett. It’s a statistic that will be a trivia answer in years to come.
Payton Pritchard’s Excellent Season
Payton Pritchard’s excellent game is another milestone in a remarkable season. Pritchard has emerged as a viable scoring threat off the bench and is the leading candidate for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. In a season where Holiday has dealt with injuries, Pritchard’s improvement has been integral to the Celtics’ success. With Sam Hauser’s health and shooting struggles, Payton Pritchard has become the ultimate sparkplug for Boston’s bench unit.
There are still questions about Payton Pritchard come playoff time. While he is a great scorer and shooter, he is still undersized, and in a playoff environment, his defense could become a liability. His effort is not in question, but his size could make him an easy target for playoff teams. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers would love to force Pritchard onto Darius Garland, Donovan Mitchell, or any of their other talented players.
Final Thoughts
Payton Pritchard’s spectacular 43-point game against the Trailblazers was a sight to behold. He shot the lights out with a career-high ten three-pointers and put up a historic stat line. He is leading the race for the Sixth Man of the Year award, and this performance may have locked it down for him.
