The Celtics are officially through with the regular season as they open the playoffs next weekend. There were some struggles midway through a long 82 games, but they did get some surprises. That includes Payton Pritchard enjoying a breakout season as he’s the frontrunner for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
But the Celtics guard didn’t necessarily feel the need to campaign for the award coming off the C’s beating the Hornets on Sunday, offering up a differing opinion. Some guys openly pump themselves up for awards, but Pritchard elected not to do that as he let his body of work speak for itself.
“There’s no need for that,” Pritchard said. “If I get it, it’s not going to stop my journey, it’s not going to stop the work I’m going to put in. This would just be another stepping stone. People could write about it if I get it, saying I have an award. But at the end of the day, I feel like I’m just looking to keep growing and growing. And I feel like the future, I don’t know what that holds.”
It took a few seasons waiting his turn, but Pritchard became a consistent force off the bench for the Celtics this year. He finished the regular season averaging 14.1 points, 3.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists in his 80 games. Just as he’s done the past couple years, he had a loud season finale after putting up 34 points, seven rebounds and seven assists Sunday. If Pritchard is named Sixth Man of the Year, he’d be the first Celtic to win it since Malcolm Brogdon after the 2022-23 season.
The C’s leaned on Pritchard extensively throughout the season as he missed just two games. He’s played selflessly for years as his teammates raved about his work behind-the-scenes even when he wasn’t getting consistent playing time. The rotation minutes weren’t available for Pritchard in past seasons, sitting behind productive guards, but the Celtics unleashed him this year.
The award should be announced in the coming weeks as NBA voters put together their ballots after the regular season. Pritchard and the Celtics have their eyes on the playoffs as they can now lock in for the most important part of the season. Still, while individual accomplishments aren’t the goal, they’re also a nod to a successful year.
“I feel like I put myself in the best situation possible to win it,” Pritchard said. “I’m proud of that and I feel like I’ve done my job as far as helping this team come off the bench and be a spark and try to be the best bench player in the league. At the end of the day, if I get voted for it, it’s an unbelievable award and be a great honor. But at the end of the day, it’s out of my control if they vote for me or not. We’ll see, though.”
