Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard is making waves this season, showcasing not only his improved skill set but also his potential to become one of the team’s pivotal players. Following his disciplined nutritional regimen of oatmeal, bacon, and protein shakes for breakfast, along with noodles and chicken pre-game, Pritchard is setting himself up for success. He has made the conscious decision to abstain from alcohol during the season, stating simply, “That’s been easy.”
Pritchard's focus on personal development is paying off. This past Saturday, on March 15, 2025, he broke the NBA record for most three-pointers made off the bench during a single season, achieving this feat against the Brooklyn Nets with 14 games still left to play. This record-breaking performance is just one highlight from his impressive 2025 campaign, where he’s averaging 14.1 points per game, significantly up from the 9.6 points he averaged last year.
His increased scoring prowess doesn’t come at the expense of his floor management; Pritchard is maintaining one of the league’s best assist-to-turnover ratios, ranking among the elite playmakers alongside stars like Chris Paul and Tyrese Haliburton.
Head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledged Pritchard’s work ethic and competitive nature, calling it “unreal.” While he continues to excel offensively, Pritchard is not satisfied; he relentlessly pushes to improve his game even more. Currently, he’s working on his floater, saying, “It’s not necessarily needed for what we need right now, but when the timecomes… I’ll be ready to take those shots.”
Pritchard’s aspirations extend beyond scoring and playmaking. He’s determined to be the Celtics’ premier defender, shifting the narrative from previously being labeled as a defensive liability. “Eventually, I want to get to where I guard the other team’s best players,” he expressed during recent discussions. His defensive efforts were put to the test against MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander; Pritchard faced him for just over five minutes but managed to hold him to six points on two-of-five shooting, with three turnovers forced.
These moments, albeit limited, reflect Pritchard’s desire to take on challenging matchups. “His ability to want to take on great matchups has been big for us,” Mazzulla commented on Pritchard’s willingness to step up when needed.
Pritchard is also aware of the perceptions surrounding him due to his height, explaining, “Maybe not as much anymore — but I used to be seen as a defensive liability. But I feel like it was because they looked at my height, and maybe the color of my skin.” Despite these perceptions, Pritchard puts significant effort to prove himself on the court, famously hounding opponents full-court and striving to go toe-to-toe with the league’s best.
While Pritchard is focused on enhancing his defensive skills, he feels equally at home on the offensive side of the ball. His remarkable versatility has led to major contributions this season, including notable performances where he scored 20 or more points on 20 separate occasions. For example, earlier this month against the Portland Trail Blazers, he exploded for a career-high 43 points. Yet just three nights later, Pritchard attempted only five shots against the Lakers, exemplifying the fluctuation of his opportunities within the Celtics’ deep roster.
“It takes a special person to fulfill [the role of bench player],” Mazzulla mused, highlighting Pritchard’s commitment to the Celtics’ success amid lineup changes. His adaptability has become increasingly apparent as his former moments of generous shot attempts dipped to 8.1 per game recently, compared to December’s 12.3 attempts.
With the Sixth Man of the Year award potentially within reach, the chatter around Pritchard is growing louder. Teammate Jayson Tatum declared, “He’s got to be Sixth Man of the Year,” following Pritchard’s remarkable performance of eight three-pointers against the Philadelphia 76ers. The competition is fierce, with Malik Beasley and De’Andre Hunter trailing Pritchard as he’s emerged as the frontrunner—a position he tries not to dwell on, keeping his focus on self-improvement.
Pritchard summarizes this mindset perfectly: “Because then it can eat you up. Like, bad game, you’re thinking about it. Good game, you’re like, ohhh. So I don’t ever try to think about it. For me, it’s always about self-improvement.”
With games rolling on, there are questions about how his career will evolve as teams strategize against him. Still, Pritchard knows his defense is continually improving, and he shows no signs of complacency. “On ball, I think I’m very good,” he stated firmly about his defense, promising to keep enhancing his game and assembling skills to make his presence felt on both offense and defense.
The Celtics, now with key players like Jaylen Brown out and Jayson Tatum battling injuries, rely on Pritchard’s burgeoning talent to lead them through the challenges of the season. He remains committed to the grind, declaring, “I do want to get to the point where I am the guy.” Although he’s already garnered significant recognition and accolades this season, Payton Pritchard is focused on the ultimate prize: helping his team secure another championship. With his current performance and fiery determination, there’s little doubt he’s on the right path to achieving all of this and more.
