Payton Pritchard
{{Short description|American basketball player (born 1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Payton Pritchard
| image = Payton Pritchard Celtics.jpg
| caption = Pritchard with the Boston Celtics in 2021
| number = 11
| position = Point guard / shooting guard
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 195
| league = NBA
| team = Boston Celtics
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|1|28}}
| birth_place = Tualatin, Oregon, U.S.{{cite web | url=https://www.nba.com/player/1630202/payton-pritchard/rotowire | title=Payton Pritchard | Boston Celtics | website=NBA.com }}
| high_school = West Linn {{nowrap|(West Linn, Oregon)}}
| college = Oregon (2016–2020)
| draft_year = 2020
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 26
| draft_team = Boston Celtics
| career_start = 2020
| years1 = {{nbay|2020|start}}–present
| team1 = Boston Celtics
| highlights =
- NBA champion (2024)
- NBA Sixth Man of the Year ({{nbay|2024|end}})
- Lute Olson Award (2020)
- Bob Cousy Award (2020)
- Consensus first-team All-American (2020)
- Pac-12 Player of the Year (2020)
- First-team All-Pac-12 (2020)
- Second-team All-Pac-12 (2018)
- Pac-12 tournament {{abbr|MOP|Most Outstanding Player}} (2019)
| bbr =
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's basketball}}
{{MedalCountry|{{bk|USA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIBA Under-19 World Cup}}
{{MedalBronze|2017 Egypt|Team Competition}}
}}
Payton Michael Pritchard (born January 28, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oregon Ducks. As a sophomore, Pritchard earned second-team all-conference honors in the Pac-12. In his senior year, Pritchard was a finalist for the Naismith College Player of the Year. Selected 26th overall in the 2020 NBA draft by the Celtics, he reached the NBA Finals with the team in both 2022 and 2024, securing a championship in 2024.{{cite web |title=Celtics win 18th championship with Game 5 victory over Mavericks |url=https://www.nba.com/news/celtics-mavericks-game-5-championship-2024-nba-finals |website=NBA.com |date=June 17, 2024 |access-date=June 20, 2024}} In 2025, Pritchard was named NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Early life
Pritchard won four consecutive state titles with West Linn High School and earned 2014 and 2015 Todd Pratt Player of the Year, Oregon Class 6a Player of the Year and Gatorade Oregon Player of the Year 2015. He averaged 22 points and 5.8 assists per game as a junior (2014–15) and 23.6 points, 6.8 assists and 3.1 steals as a senior (2015–16). A four-star recruit in the ESPN ranking,{{Cite web |title=Payton Pritchard - Basketball Recruiting - Player Profiles - ESPN |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/171103 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170628062741/http://www.espn.com/college-sports/basketball/recruiting/player/_/id/171103/payton-pritchard |archive-date=June 28, 2017 |access-date=July 7, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}} Pritchard committed to the University of Oregon Ducks in August 2015.{{Cite news |last=Rankin |first=Reggie |date=August 28, 2015 |title=No. 43 Payton Pritchard picks Ducks after leaving Sooners |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13535058 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023230956/http://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/story/_/id/13535058/payton-pritchard-commits-oregon-ducks |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |access-date=July 7, 2017 |work=ESPN.com}} He had previously committed to Oklahoma, where his father Terry played football.{{cite web |last=Borzello |first=Jeff |date=July 6, 2015 |title=ESPN 100 PG Pritchard decommits from Sooners |url=https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/13212102 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023232502/http://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/13212102/payton-pritchard-no-11-point-guard-espn-100-decommitted-oklahoma-sooners |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |access-date=July 7, 2017 |website=ESPN.com}} Pritchard scored 45 points in the Northwest Shootout, an all-star game between players from Oregon and Washington.
College career
In his freshman year (2016–17), Pritchard made 39 appearances for the Ducks, averaging 7.4 points and 3.6 assists per game.{{cite news |last=Alger |first=Tyson |title=Oregon Ducks handle Coppin State in men's basketball season opener: Live updates recap |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2017/11/oregon_ducks_open_mens_basketb_1.html |access-date=January 3, 2020 |work=OregonLive |date=November 11, 2017 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103165735/https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2017/11/oregon_ducks_open_mens_basketb_1.html |url-status=live }} In a game against UCLA, he made a deep three-point shot to pull the Ducks within one point and assisted on Dillon Brooks' game-winning three-pointer over Lonzo Ball. Oregon made its first Final Four appearance since the first NCAA tournament ever, and Pritchard was the only freshman to start in that year's Final Four.
On November 25, 2017, Pritchard scored a career-high 29 points to go along with eight assists and six rebounds in an 84–79 victory over DePaul.{{cite news |last=Alger |first=Tyson |title=Payton Pritchard and Oregon Ducks outlast DePaul at PK80 Invitational: Live updates recap, score, stats |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2017/11/pk80_oregon_ducks_depaul_blue.html |access-date=January 3, 2020 |work=OregonLive |date=November 25, 2017 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103165740/https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2017/11/pk80_oregon_ducks_depaul_blue.html |url-status=live }} He was the lone returning starter for the Ducks in his sophomore year (2017–18) and averaged a markedly higher 14.5 points, 4.8 assists and 3.6 rebounds per game.{{cite news |title=Oregon's Payton Pritchard named to Wooden Award watch list |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2018/11/oregons_payton_pritchard_named_1.html |access-date=January 3, 2020 |work=OregonLive |date=November 8, 2018 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103165733/https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2018/11/oregons_payton_pritchard_named_1.html |url-status=live }}
As a junior, Pritchard got off to a disappointing start but improved his play late in the season, leading Oregon to an improbable Pac-12 Tournament Championship and reaching the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Pritchard averaged 12.9 points, 4.6 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game and was named MVP of the Pac-12 Tournament. After the season, he declared for the 2019 NBA draft but later decided to return to Oregon for his senior season.{{cite news |last=Hanson |first=Nate |title=Oregon point guard Payton Pritchard to return for senior season |url=https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/ncaa/ducks/oregon-point-guard-payton-pritchard-to-return-for-senior-season/283-c1a2163d-145f-4bbf-b7a5-3bafed8071bf |access-date=January 3, 2020 |work=KGW8 |date=May 29, 2019 |archive-date=January 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103165749/https://www.kgw.com/article/sports/ncaa/ducks/oregon-point-guard-payton-pritchard-to-return-for-senior-season/283-c1a2163d-145f-4bbf-b7a5-3bafed8071bf |url-status=live }}
As a senior, Pritchard was one of the best players in collegiate basketball. On January 18, 2020, against Washington, he scored 22 points and made a 30-foot shot with three seconds left to complete a 16-point comeback as Oregon won in overtime 64–61.{{cite news |title=Pritchard's late 3 lifts No. 8 Oregon past Washington 64–61 |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401170673 |access-date=January 31, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press |date=January 18, 2020 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107235401/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401170673 |url-status=live }} On January 30, Pritchard had 21 points in a 77–72 victory over California and became Oregon's all-time assists leader.{{cite news |title=Payton Pritchard breaks Oregon's assists record as No. 11 Ducks men's basketball beats California |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2020/01/payton-pritchard-breaks-oregons-assists-record-as-no-11-ducks-mens-basketball-beats-california.html |access-date=January 31, 2020 |work=OregonLive |agency=Associated Press |date=January 30, 2020 |archive-date=January 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200131045641/https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2020/01/payton-pritchard-breaks-oregons-assists-record-as-no-11-ducks-mens-basketball-beats-california.html |url-status=live }} He scored a career-high 38 points in a narrow 73–72 overtime victory over Arizona on February 22 in a must-win game to keep Oregon's hopes for a Pac-12 regular season title alive.{{cite news |date=February 22, 2020 |title=No. 14 Oregon rallies to beat No. 24 Arizona 73–72 in OT |url=https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401170726 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107073302/https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basketball/recap?gameId=401170726 |archive-date=January 7, 2021 |access-date=February 23, 2020 |work=ESPN |agency=Associated Press}} Pritchard finished the job in Oregon's regular-season finale with 29 points against Stanford, securing Oregon's second Pac-12 regular season title during his career.{{Cite web |date=2020-03-08 |title=Pritchard leads No. 13 Oregon to Pac-12 title, beating Stanford |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/basketball-ncaa-ore-sta/pritchard-leads-no-13-oregon-to-pac-12-title-beating-stanford-idUSMTZXEG38V38W7B |access-date=2024-01-04 |website=Reuters}} As a senior, Pritchard averaged 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game,{{cite news |last=Dauster |first=Rob |title=NBC Sports College Basketball All-American Teams |url=https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2020/03/10/college-basketball-all-american-teams/ |access-date=March 16, 2020 |work=NBC Sports |date=March 10, 2020 |archive-date=February 25, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225173858/https://collegebasketball.nbcsports.com/2020/03/24/college-basketball-all-american-teams/ |url-status=live }} and he was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year.{{Cite web|url=https://pac-12.com/article/2020/03/08/2019-20-pac-12-mens-basketball-all-conference-awards-announced|title=Pac-12 announces 2019-20 Men's Basketball annual major awards|date=March 9, 2020|website=pac-12.com|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115205621/https://pac-12.com/article/2020/03/08/2019-20-pac-12-mens-basketball-all-conference-awards-announced|url-status=dead}} Pritchard was also a consensus All-American selection and was awarded the Bob Cousy Award as the nation's top point guard.{{cite web|url=https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2020/04/oregons-payton-pritchard-wins-bob-cousy-award-as-point-guard-of-the-year.html|title=Oregon's Payton Pritchard wins Bob Cousy Award as the point guard of the year|work=The Oregonian|first=James|last=Crepea|date=April 7, 2020|access-date=April 21, 2020|archive-date=April 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414212109/https://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/2020/04/oregons-payton-pritchard-wins-bob-cousy-award-as-point-guard-of-the-year.html|url-status=live}}
Professional career
= Boston Celtics (2020–present) =
== 2020–21 season: Rookie year ==
Pritchard was selected with the 26th pick in the first round of the 2020 NBA draft by the Boston Celtics.{{cite news |last=Fentress |first=Aaron |title=Oregon Ducks' Payton Pritchard selected No. 26 in NBA Draft by Boston Celtics |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/nba/2020/11/oregon-ducks-payton-pritchard-selected-no-26-in-nba-draft-by-boston-celtics.html |access-date=November 18, 2020 |work=The Oregonian |date=November 18, 2020 |archive-date=November 19, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201119034314/https://www.oregonlive.com/nba/2020/11/oregon-ducks-payton-pritchard-selected-no-26-in-nba-draft-by-boston-celtics.html |url-status=live }} On November 24, 2020, he signed a four-year, $10.5 million rookie contract with the Boston Celtics including team options in the third and fourth years.{{cite web |date=November 24, 2020 |title=Celtics Sign Nesmith, Pritchard |url=https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-sign-nesmith-pritchard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201207130041/https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/pressrelease/celtics-sign-nesmith-pritchard |archive-date=December 7, 2020 |access-date=November 24, 2020 |website=NBA.com}}{{Cite web |title=Payton Pritchard |url=https://www.spotrac.com/nba/boston-celtics/payton-pritchard-70668/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607221359/https://www.spotrac.com/nba/boston-celtics/payton-pritchard-70668/ |archive-date=June 7, 2021 |access-date=June 7, 2021 |website=spotrac.com}} Pritchard impressed in his professional debut scoring 17 points in a preseason game against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 15.{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/game/bos-vs-phi-0012000025/box-score|title=Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers box-score|website=NBA.com |access-date=December 16, 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218193030/https://www.nba.com/game/bos-vs-phi-0012000025/box-score|url-status=live}} In the absence of Kemba Walker, Pritchard was fourth in playing time through the first five games, behind only Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Marcus Smart.{{Cite web|title=5 Celtics takeaways through 5 games of 2020-21 NBA season|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/5-celtics-takeaways-through-5-games-2020-21-nba-season|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=RSN|language=en|archive-date=December 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231205246/https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/celtics/5-celtics-takeaways-through-5-games-2020-21-nba-season|url-status=live}} On January 4, 2021, Pritchard scored a career-high 23 points in a 126–114 victory over the Toronto Raptors with eight assists and two rebounds.{{Cite web|title=Tatum scores 40 in Celtics' 126-114 win over Raptors|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401267257|date=January 4, 2021|website=ESPN.com|access-date=January 5, 2021|archive-date=January 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210105062900/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401267257|url-status=dead}} In the next game two days later, he made the game-winning layup in a narrow 107–105 victory over the Miami Heat.{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2021 |title=Pritchard's putback pushes Celtics past Heat, 107-105 |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401267271 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424173053/https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401267271 |archive-date=April 24, 2022 |access-date=January 8, 2021 |website=ESPN |language=en}} On January 12, Pritchard earned his first NBA start, but had an underwhelming performance, scoring only two points in 28 minutes in a 96–93 loss to the Detroit Pistons.{{Cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pritcpa01/gamelog/2021|title=Payton Pritchard 2020-21 Game Log|access-date=June 7, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607215914/https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pritcpa01/gamelog/2021|url-status=live}} This showing came in the beginning stages of what can be described as his "rookie wall", where Pritchard struggled to be as efficient and impactful as he was early in the season. Pritchard alluded to his struggles later on in the season,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/ducks/payton-pritchard-not-focused-hitting-overcoming-rookie-wall-boston-celtics|title=Payton Pritchard not focused on hitting, but overcoming rookie wall with Celtics|access-date=June 7, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607215856/https://www.nbcsports.com/northwest/ducks/payton-pritchard-not-focused-hitting-overcoming-rookie-wall-boston-celtics|url-status=live}} but seemingly burst through this looming "rookie wall" in mid-April when he scored in double figures in six of seven games in a row including a then-career-best 28 points in a 119–115 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 27.{{Cite web|url=https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/04/27/celtics-payton-pritchard-career-high-loss-thunder/|title=Payton Pritchard goes for career-high, but Celtics fall to Thunder|date=April 28, 2021|access-date=June 7, 2021|archive-date=June 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210607215857/https://therookiewire.usatoday.com/2021/04/27/celtics-payton-pritchard-career-high-loss-thunder/|url-status=live}}
== 2021–22 season: First NBA Finals ==
Pritchard played for the Celtics in the 2021 NBA Summer League and was named All-Summer League First Team after averaging 17 points and eight assists.{{Cite web |title=Boston Celtics vs Atlanta Hawks Aug 8, 2021 Box Scores |url=https://www.nba.com/game/bos-vs-atl-1522100001/box-score#box-score |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210809081435/https://www.nba.com/game/bos-vs-atl-1522100001/box-score#box-score |archive-date=August 9, 2021 |access-date=2021-08-08 |website=NBA.com}} He helped the Celtics reach the 2022 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Golden State Warriors in six games.{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2022/06/16/celtics-warriors-game-6-nba-finals-live-updates-score/|title=Celtics lose Game 6 and fall to the Warriors in the NBA Finals|website=boston.com|last=Roche|first=Conor|date=March 17, 2023|access-date=April 11, 2023}}
== 2022–23 season: First triple-double ==
In the regular-season finale, Pritchard tallied his first career triple-double by putting up a career-high 30 points, a career-high 14 rebounds, and a career-high 11 assists in a 120–114 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. The game was played primarily by back-ups on each team.{{Cite news|url=https://clutchpoints.com/celtics-news-payton-pritchard-statement-frusturating-season|title=Celtics guard Payton Pritchard issues statement on approach to 'frustrating' season|website=ClutchPoints|last=Nilon|first=Mark|date=April 10, 2023|access-date=April 10, 2023}} Following the Celtics' exit from the playoffs in the Eastern Conference Finals and due to limited minutes, Pritchard requested a trade.{{cite web|url=https://www.si.com/nba/celtics/top-stories/exploring-potential-payton-pritchard-trades|title=Exploring Potential Payton Pritchard Trades|last=Krivitsky|first=Bobby|publisher=Sports Illustrated|quote=A lack of playing time has Payton Pritchard pushing for a trade. Here's who or what the Celtics might get if they oblige.|date=June 6, 2023|access-date=June 10, 2023}}
== 2023–24 season: Contract extension and First NBA Championship ==
On October 8, 2023, the Celtics and Pritchard agreed to a fully guaranteed four-year, $30 million contract extension.{{Cite web |last=Wojnarowski |first=Adrian |author-link=Adrian Wojnarowski |date=2023-10-08 |others=Contributed by Tim Bontemps |title=Celtics, Pritchard agree to 4-year, $30M extension |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/38604114 |access-date=2023-10-11 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} During the season, he saw increased playing time, averaging 22.3 minutes per game, and was the only player on the Celtics roster to play in all 82 regular-season games.{{Cite web |title=Payton Pritchard Career Stats - NBA |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/player/stats/_/id/4066354 |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=ESPN |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Boston Celtics 2023-24 NBA Regular Season Stats |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/team/stats/_/name/bos/season/2024/seasontype/2 |access-date=2024-12-17 |website=ESPN |language=en}}
On April 12, 2024, Pritchard scored a career-high 32 points while also recording with 11 assists, three rebounds and a steal in a 131–96 victory over the Charlotte Hornets, becoming the first Celtics player in the play-by-play era to record 23 points and nine assists in the first half.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-13 |title=Celtics-Hornets takeaways: Pritchard leads C's reserves to dominant win |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-hornets-takeaways-payton-pritchard-reserves/603489/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=NBC Sports Boston |language=en-US}} Two days later against the Washington Wizards in the regular-season finale, he set another career-high of 38 points while also recording 12 assists and nine rebounds in a 132–122 victory, becoming the second Celtics player to put up at least 20 points and six assists in the first half in two consecutive games.{{Cite web |date=2024-04-14 |title=Celtics-Wizards takeaways: Pritchard, C's dominate on Mike Gorman Day |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-wizards-takeaways-payton-pritchard-mike-gorman-day/603631/ |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=NBC Sports Boston |language=en-US}} Pritchard joined John Havlicek, Larry Bird, and Bob Cousy as the only players in franchise history to record back-to-back 30-point, 10-assist double-doubles.{{cite web | last=Hass | first=Trevor | title=Payton Pritchard's latest milestone puts him on list with John Havlicek, Larry Bird, and Bob Cousy | website=Boston.com | date=2024-04-14 | url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2024/04/14/celtics-payton-pritchard-milestone-list-john-havlicek-larry-bird-bob-cousy/ | access-date=2025-02-11}}
During Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on June 9, Pritchard made a 34-foot three-pointer at the buzzer to end the third quarter as the Celtics won 105–98.{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Tim |date=2024-06-10 |title=Celtics call Payton Pritchard's desperation 3-pointer the 'play of the game' in Game 2 |url=https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/news/celtics-call-payton-pritchards-desperation-035645948.html |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-CA}}{{Cite web |date=June 9, 2024 |title=Celtics beat Mavericks 105-98, take 2-0 lead in NBA Finals as series heads to Dallas |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/recap?gameId=401656360 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=ESPN |language=en}} Eight days later in Game 5, he made a half-court shot at the buzzer to end the first half of the close-out 106–88 victory, giving Pritchard his first NBA championship.{{Cite web |last=Geagan |first=Matt |date=2024-06-18 |title=How about that Celtics half-court shot? Teammates celebrate Payton Pritchard's buzzer beater - CBS Boston |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/payton-pritchard-nba-finals-celtics-half-court-shot-buzzer/ |access-date=2024-06-19 |website=cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Bontemps |first=Tim |date=2024-06-17 |title=Celtics top Mavericks in Game 5, win record 18th NBA championship |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/40375053 |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} According to the NBA, it was the longest made basket in an NBA Finals game since 1997; an NBA graphic gave the distance at 50 feet, while play-by-play results called it a 43-foot shot.{{Cite news |title=NBA (@NBA) on X |url=https://x.com/NBA/status/1802891744083595653 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240618084351/https://x.com/NBA/status/1802891744083595653 |archive-date=2024-06-18 |access-date=2024-12-17 |work=X (formerly Twitter) |language=en}}{{cite web| title=Payton Pritchard beats the buzzer again, making longest shot in the NBA Finals in more than 25 years | website=Boston.com | date=2024-06-18 | url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2024/06/18/celtics-guard-payton-pritchard-longest-shot-nba-finals-25-years/?utm_campaign=bdc_Twitter&s_campaign=bcom:socialflow:twitter | access-date=2025-02-11}}
== 2024–25 season: Sixth Man of the Year ==
File:Celtics at Wizards 2024-12-027.jpgOn March 5, 2025, Pritchard had a career-high 43 points in addition to 10 rebounds and five assists in a 128–118 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers as he and Derrick White became the first Celtics teammates to make nine or more three-pointers in the same game (Pritchard had 10) and the first to score 40 or more points in the same game (White had 41).{{Cite web |last=Rights |first=Bird |date=2025-03-05 |title=Pritchard and White combine for 84 points, Celtics beat Trail Blazers 128-118 |url=https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/3/5/24378827/payton-pritchard-derrick-white-combine-84-points-boston-celtics-beat-portland-trail-blazers-128-118 |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=CelticsBlog |language=en}} They are also the first NBA teammates to score 19 three-pointers in a single game, and the first to have at least 40 points and seven three-pointers each.{{Cite web |date=2025-03-06 |title=Celtics' Payton Pritchard, Derrick White combine for 84 points, set multiple NBA records in Boston win |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-payton-pritchard-derrick-white-combine-for-84-points-set-multiple-nba-records-in-boston-win/ |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}} Ten days later in a 115–113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, Pritchard recorded 22 points, six rebounds, and three assists while making his 219th three-pointer of the season, setting an NBA record for season three-pointers made off the bench.{{cite web |url=https://clutchpoints.com/nba/boston-celtics/celtics-payton-pritchard-makes-history-in-win-over-nets |title=Celtics' Payton Pritchard makes history in win over Nets |website=ClutchPoints |last=Silverman |first=Steve |date=March 15, 2025 |access-date=March 15, 2025}} On April 4 against the Phoenix Suns, Pritchard had 10 points, a rebound, and three assists while scoring the three-pointer that gave the 2024–25 Celtics the record for most three-pointers by a team in a season with 1,364. In the regular-season finale nine days later against the Charlotte Hornets, he recorded 34 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists during the 93–86 victory.{{Cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2025/04/13/payton-pritchard-celtics-hornets-highlights-recap/|title=Payton Pritchard scores 34 points in Celtics' regular-season ending victory over Hornets|last=Powtak|first=Ken|publisher=Boston.com|date=April 13, 2025|accessdate=April 13, 2025}}
On April 20, in Game 1 of the first round of the playoffs against the Orlando Magic, Pritchard scored 19 points in 25 minutes off the bench during the 103–86 victory.{{Cite web |last=Leger |first=Justin |date=2025-04-20 |title=Celtics' supporting cast exposes Magic's fatal flaw in Game 1 |url=https://www.nbcsportsboston.com/nba/boston-celtics/jrue-holiday-derrick-white-payton-pritchard-magic-game-one/703845/ |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=NBC Sports Boston |language=en-US}} That same day, he was named a finalist for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-20 |title=NBA unveils award finalists for 2024-25 season |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44772522/nba-unveils-award-finalists-2024-25-season |access-date=2025-04-21 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} Pritchard was announced as the winner of the award two days later on April 22; he received 82 of 100 first-place votes, and was the only player listed on every ballot.{{Cite web |date=2025-04-22 |title=Celtics' Pritchard honored with Sixth Man award |url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/44806337/celtics-payton-pritchard-named-nba-sixth-man-year |access-date=2025-04-23 |website=ESPN.com |language=en}} He also received four votes (one second-place, three third-place) for NBA Most Improved Player.{{Cite web |title=Hawks' Dyson Daniels named 2024-25 Kia NBA Most Improved Player {{!}} NBA.com |url=https://www.nba.com/news/kia-most-improved-player-2024-25-dyson-daniels |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=NBA |language=en}}
National team career
Pritchard represented the US at the 2015 FIBA 3x3 Under-18 World Championship where, in his best game, he had nine three-pointers against Poland. Pritchard scored 12 points on four three-pointers in 14 minutes as a member of the USA National Select Team at the 2016 Nike Hoop Summit.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kgw.com/sports/high-school/pritchard-scores-12-usa-wins-nike-hoop-summit-101-67/127412526|title=Pritchard scores 12, USA wins Nike Hoop Summit 101-67|last=TEGNA|work=KGW|access-date=July 7, 2017|language=en-US}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
Pritchard also made the U.S. squad for the 2017 FIBA U19 World Cup in Egypt.{{Cite news|url=http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2017/06/payton_pritchard_named_to_team.html|title=Oregon Ducks point guard Payton Pritchard named to Team USA Under-19 World Cup roster|work=OregonLive.com|access-date=July 7, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=June 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629184652/http://www.oregonlive.com/ducks/index.ssf/2017/06/payton_pritchard_named_to_team.html|url-status=live}} He averaged 9.0 points, 3.1 assists and 2.9 rebounds per contest during the tournament, including 16 points against RJ Barrett and Canada.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fiba.basketball/fr/world/u19/2017/USA|title=États-Unis at the FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup 2017 - FIBA.basketball|website=FIBA.basketball|language=fr|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-date=September 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170919090516/http://www.fiba.basketball/fr/world/u19/2017/USA|url-status=live}} Team USA won the bronze medal, and Pritchard was named to the All-Star Five.{{Cite news|url=https://247sports.com/college/oregon/article/payton-pritchard-and-abu-kigab-named-to-world-cup-all-star-team-53499252/|title=Payton Pritchard and Abu Kigab named to World Cup All-Star Team|work=DuckTerritory|access-date=July 9, 2017|archive-date=July 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170712133812/http://oregon.247sports.com/Article/Payton-Pritchard-and-Abu-Kigab-named-to-World-Cup-All-Star-Team-53499252|url-status=live}}
Personal life
Pritchard married his girlfriend, YouTuber Emma MacDonald, in August 2024. The ceremony was officiated by his former Celtics teammate Blake Griffin.{{Cite web |last1=Clack |first1=Erin |last2=Strohm |first2=Emily |name-list-style=and |date=August 13, 2024 |title=Boston Celtics Point Guard Payton Pritchard Marries Emma MacDonald — and Blake Griffin Officiates! See the Photos |url=https://people.com/boston-celtics-point-guard-payton-pritchard-marries-emma-macdonald-photos-8694518 |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=People.com |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{NBA player statistics legend|champion=y}}
=NBA=
==Regular season==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2020–21
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 66 || 4 || 19.2 || .440 || .411 || .889 || 2.4 || 1.8 || .6 || .1 || 7.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2021–22
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 71 || 2 || 14.1 || .429 || .412 || 1.000 || 1.9 || 2.0 || .4 || .1 || 6.2
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2022–23
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 48 || 3 || 13.4 || .412 || .364 || .750 || 1.8 || 1.3 || .3 || .0 || 5.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;background:#afe6ba;"|2023–24†
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 82 || 5 || 22.3 || .468 || .385 || .821 || 3.2 || 3.4 || .5 || .1 || 9.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2024–25
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 80 || 3 || 28.4 || .472 || .407 || .845 || 3.8 || 3.5 || .9 || .2 || 14.3
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 347 || 17 || 20.2 || .454 || .399 || .856 || 2.7 || 2.5 || .5 || .1 || 9.1
{{S-end}}
==Playoffs==
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2021
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 5 || 0 || 13.5 || .353 || .300 || 1.000 || 1.8 || 2.4 || .4 || .0 || 3.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2022
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 24 || 0 || 12.9 || .422 || .333 || .667 || 1.9 || 1.6 || .3 || .1 || 4.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2023
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 10 || 0 || 5.7 || .545 || .400 || .800 || .6 || 1.1 || .1 || .0 || 3.2
|-
| style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;"| 2024{{dagger}}
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 19 || 0 || 18.7 || .419 || .383 || .917 || 1.9 || 2.1 || .2 || .0 || 6.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2025
| style="text-align:left;"| Boston
| 11 || 0 || 27.5 || .455 || .403 || .824 || 2.3 || 1.5 || .5 || .0 || 11.9
|- class="sort bottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 69 || 0 || 15.8 || .435 || .370 || .833 || 1.8 || 1.7 || .3 || 0 || 6.0
{{S-end}}
=College=
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2016–17
| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon
| 39 || 35 || 28.3 || .393 || .350 || .730 || 3.4 || 3.6 || 1.2 || .1 || 7.4
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2017–18
| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon
| 36 || 36 || 35.1 || .447 || .413 || .774 || 3.8 || 4.8 || 1.4 || .0 || 14.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2018–19
| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon
| 38 || 38 || 35.5 || .418 || .328 || .838 || 3.9 || 4.6 || 1.8 || .1 || 12.9
|-
| style="text-align:left;"| 2019–20
| style="text-align:left;"| Oregon
| 31 || 31 || 36.6 || .468 || .415 || .821 || 4.3 || 5.5 || 1.5 || .0 || 20.5
|- class="sort bottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"| Career
| 144 || 140 || 33.7 || .437 || .379 || .800 || 3.8 || 4.6 || 1.5 || .0 || 13.5
{{S-end}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- Career statistics and player information from [https://www.nba.com/player/1630202/payton-pritchard NBA.com] and [https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/pritcpa01.html Basketball-Reference.com]
- [https://goducks.com/sports/mens-basketball/roster/payton-pritchard/9748 Oregon Ducks bio]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20150702120410/http://www.usab.com/basketball/players/mens/p/pritchard-payton.aspx USA Basketball bio]
{{Boston Celtics current roster}}
{{navboxes|list=
{{Boston Celtics 2023–24 NBA champions}}
{{NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award Winners}}
{{Lute Olson Award}}
{{2020 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{Bob Cousy Award}}
{{Pac-12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year navbox}}
{{2020 NBA draft}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pritchard, Payton}}
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