In this story:JOE MAZZULLAPAYTON PRITCHARDBOSTON CELTICSAfter being outside the Celtics’ playoff rotation last season, Payton Pritchard spoke frequently with head coach Joe Mazzulla over the summer.Those conversations would often center around him contributing to winning in a multitude of ways, per a report from Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe.His versatility and what his time training with Team USA in the offseason did for his game has translated to him averaging 9.6 points, 3.4 assists, and 3.2 rebounds in 22.3 minutes, career-highs across the board. He also drilled 38.5 percent of the 4.7 threes he hoisted.Furthermore, Pritchard, who played in all 82 regular-season contests in the 2023-24 campaign, accumulated a plus-375 plus-minus rating, the highest total among all second-unit members, per NBA.com.The former Oregon Duck generated 122.8 points per 100 possessions, the most in the league. His 13.6 net rating ranks fourth. His 4.61 assist-to-turnover ratio is fifth among those who appeared in at least 41 games and logged 18 minutes per contest, per NBA.com.His all-around production has helped Boston’s bench manufacture a plus-3.8 plus-minus rating and 11.7 net rating, the best marks in both categories.On Friday, sliding into a starting role, he registered a career-high 31 points and dished out 11 assists, leading the Celtics to a 131-98 win over the Hornets.Two days later, he helped the C’s complete a 64-18 campaign, establishing a new personal best by putting 38 points on the board in a 132-122 victory vs. the Wizards. He also came one rebound shy of a triple-double, distributing 12 assists and grabbing nine rebounds.When asked after Sunday’s regular-season finale if his recent performances are a confidence booster entering the playoffs, Pritchard responded, “I already knew I could do this on a nightly basis, but you have a team with as much talent as we have, you have to do other things to help (with) winning. So, this doesn’t do anything for me. It’s a great performance, but ultimately, I’m here to win a championship. And whatever’s asked of me, I’ll do that.”The fourth-year guard also addressed what the top-seeded Celtics, who will have home-court advantage throughout their postseason run, must do to get themselves ready this week before returning to the parquet for the playoffs.”Just be us,” said Pritchard. “Mentally, get prepared, and we’re gonna be all right. We’re gonna be ready for it. Everybody has one thing on their mind, and that’s to go for this championship. But we gotta take care of business Round 1, and we’re gonna do that.”After Career Night, Reflective Payton Pritchard Discusses NBA Journey and His Ultimate Pursuit’Nip That in the Bud’: Celtics Address End-of-Season StrugglesJrue Holiday on Celtics Extension: ‘Try to Get More Banners, Get More Rings’Aiming to Maximize Championship Window, Celtics Extend Jrue HolidayJaylen Brown Shares What Latest Milestone Means to HimCeltics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most TalentedJayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics’ Title Pursuit: ‘It’s a Process’Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: ‘It Builds, Like, an Armor’Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics’ Offense: ‘Balance of Pace and Execution’
