Celtics Send Strong Message After Big Payton Pritchard News

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Rowan Fisher-Shotton | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 7:25 PM ET

The Boston Celtics' bench dynamic has rewritten the reserve record books, and the timing couldn't be better.

On Tuesday, Payton Pritchard was named the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year for the 2024-25 season, capping off a historic year for the former All-American.

This accolade arrives on the heels of a commanding 103-86 Game 1 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.

To honor Pritchard, the Celtics made a post on X outlining just a few of his many accomplishments this season.

In 2024-25, Pritchard set an all-time mark for three-pointers made off the bench, shot the second-most three-pointers in a season in Celtics history, and became the only player to score over 1,000 points and play 2,000 minutes off the bench.

"Any questions?" posted the Boston Celtics. "Didn't think so."

✅ Most 3PM off the bench in NBA history
✅ 2nd-most 3PM in a season by a Celtic
✅ Only bench player with a 40-piece
✅ Only bench player with 1K points
✅ Only bench player to play 2K minutes
✅ League-best +428 off the bench

Any questions? Didn't think so. pic.twitter.com/Sya1iDkMKZ
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) April 23, 2025

Before getting drafted to Boston in 2020, Pritchard was a standout at the University of Oregon.

He closed his Ducks career as the first player in Pac-12 history with at least 1,900 points, 500 rebounds, and 600 assists.

In 2020, he won the Bob Cousy Award, earning national recognition as the top point guard in college basketball.

Over the past five seasons, Pritchard has steadily carved out a niche as a lethal floor-spacer and playmaker off the bench for one of the NBA's premier teams.

Pritchard topped finalists Malik Beasley and Ty Jerome to claim the John Havlicek Trophy.

In 80 games (only three starts), he averaged career highs of 14.3 points, 3,8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists, shooting an efficient 47.2% from the floor and 40.7% from beyond the arc.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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