Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Reverts back to bench Monday
Rotowire
Pritchard won't start in Monday's game against the Kings.
The sharpshooter will retreat to the second unit due to Jrue Holiday returning to game action. Over his last five outings (one start), Pritchard has averaged 15.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.2 steals across 31.6 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Pritchard will start Sunday's game against Portland, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
With Jrue Holiday (shoulder), Jaylen Brown (knee) and Kristaps Porzingis (illness) sidelined, Pritchard and Sam Hauser will slide into the starting lineup. This will be Pritchard's first start of the campaign, but he's played at least 30 minutes off the bench 30 times this season, averaging 18.3 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists and 0.9 steals in 33.4 minutes per game during those contests.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Scores 18 points off bench
Rotowire
Pritchard ended with 18 points (6-13 FG, 4-11 3Pt, 2-3 FT), two rebounds, four assists and one steal in 32 minutes during Friday's 121-99 victory over the Jazz.
Jaylen Brown (knee) missed Friday's game, and Pritchard joined Sam Hauser as the key backup talent to prop up the adjusted first unit. The Oregon product has posted four consecutive double-digit scoring performances after shooting only 26.9 percent from the floor over three games earlier in the month. Pritchard usually delivers when he sees over 30 minutes of court time, and it happens enough to warrant some fantasy consideration.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Busts out of slump in win
Rotowire
Pritchard had 22 points (7-11 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists and two steals in 33 minutes during Saturday's 115-113 win over the Nets.
After shooting just 28.9 percent from the floor over his past four games, Pritchard broke out of his slump Saturday and stepped up for a short-handed Celtics team that was without Derrick White (knee). Jaylen Brown also went down with back spasms during this one, so Pritchard could be in line for an expanded role if the former cannot suit up for Tuesday's meeting with the Nets. Over his last eight games, Pritchard has averaged 15.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals and 3.8 three-pointers in 29.3 minutes while shooting 44.8 percent from deep.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Shines off bench Thursday
Rotowire
Pritchard finished with 19 points (6-13 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-3 FT), four rebounds, six assists and two steals in 32 minutes during Thursday's 123-105 victory over the 76ers.
Pritchard didn't start despite the fact the Celtics rested several key contributors in this game, but that didn't prevent him from delivering an elite performance off the bench. Even though Pritchard couldn't match the 43-point performance he delivered in the win over the Trail Blazers on Wednesday, it's worth noting that Pritchard has scored in double digits in six of his eight appearances since the All-Star break.
Pritchard recorded 43 points (14-20 FG, 10-16 3Pt, 5-5 FT), 10 rebounds and five assists in 43 minutes during Wednesday's 128-118 win over the Trail Blazers.
Pritchard was on fire in the win, landing a career-high 10 three-pointers en route to what was also a career-high 43 points. He combined with Derrick White to score 84 points, the first time a pair of Celtic teammates have each totaled 40 points. After a scorching start to the season, Pritchard had slowed down over the past month, making this a much-needed return to form.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Cleared to play against Portland
Rotowire
Pritchard (hip) is available for Wednesday's game against Portland, Justin Turpin of WEEI.com reports.
Pritchard was probable due to left hip flexor tightness, so it's not a surprise that he'll be available Wednesday. With the Celtics missing three starters against the Blazers, the 2020 first-rounder should see a substantial boost in ball-handling duties off the bench. Pritchard has averaged 14.3 points, 2.7 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 0.7 steals and 3.8 three-pointers in 27.6 minutes through six games since the All-Star break.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Probable to face Portland
Rotowire
Pritchard is probable for Wednesday's game against Portland due to left hip flexor tightness, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
The left hip flexor tightness is a new concern for Pritchard, who has missed only one outing this season. The sharpshooter is expected to suit up Wednesday, and he could see a significant bump in minutes due to Jrue Holiday (finger), Jaylen Brown (illness) and Jayson Tatum (shoulder) all being included on the club's injury report. Over his last five outings, Pritchard has averaged 11.6 points, 3.0 rebounds, 3.0 three-pointers and 2.4 assists across 26.8 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Shines from deep off bench in loss
Rotowire
Pritchard tallied 18 points (6-10 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 1-1 FT), four assists, three rebounds and one steal over 31 minutes in Wednesday's 117-97 loss to Detroit.
Pritchard impressed from deep off the bench Wednesday, leading all Celtics bench players in scoring and assists while connecting on a team-high-tying mark from three in just over 30 minutes of action. Pritchard has now buried five or more threes on 19 occasions this season, doing so Wednesday for the third time in his last seven outings.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Pours in 20 points off bench
Rotowire
Pritchard tallied 20 points (8-17 FG, 4-13 3Pt), seven rebounds, two assists and two steals over 35 minutes during Tuesday's 111-101 win over Toronto.
He wasn't the most efficient from three-point range Tuesday, but Pritchard was able to weave his way to the paint effectively and finished as the Celtics' third-leading scorer behind Jaylen Brown (24) and Derrick White (22). Pritchard was also active on the glass, grabbing a team-high seven boards for the fourth time this season. Pritchard's scoring has been inconsistent as of late, but he has scored at least 20 points in four of his last seven games. He will likely have a significant role in the second leg of the Celtics' back-to-back set Wednesday against the Pistons.
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Erupts for game-high 28 points
Rotowire
Pritchard notched 28 points (10-18 FG, 8-15 3Pt) and four assists in 31 minutes during Thursday's 124-104 victory over the 76ers.
Pritchard erupted for a game-high 28 points off the bench, falling one point short of his season high and draining eight three-pointers to match a season-best figure. The 27-year-old guard can be a streaky shooter, but overall, he's averaged a solid 13.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 1.0 steals and 3.3 three-pointers over his last eight outings while shooting 41.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Pritchard ended with five points (2-9 FG, 1-8 3Pt), 10 rebounds, eight assists and two steals in 36 minutes off the bench during Monday's 103-85 victory over the Heat.
With Jrue Holiday (shoulder) and Jaylen Brown (knee) both unavailable, the Celtics deployed a tight rotation that featured Pritchard as the clear sixth man. While the fifth-year guard had trouble getting his shot off, he did pull down double-digit boards for only the second time this season while posting his best distribution numbers since he dished nine dimes against the Warriors on Jan. 20. Pritchard played 27-plus minutes in seven of his last eight appearances, averaging 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.9 threes and 1.3 steals over that stretch while shooting 53.8 percent from the floor and 47.9 percent from beyond the arc.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Leads bench in win
Rotowire
Pritchard contributed 25 points (9-13 FG, 6-8 3Pt, 1-2 FT), four rebounds and four assists across 27 minutes during Saturday's 131-104 victory over the Knicks.
Pritchard posted 20-plus points for the second consecutive outing, leading the bench in scoring in the blowout win. Moreover, the 27-year-old finished as the club's second-leading scorer behind Jayson Tatum (40 points). Pritchard was extremely efficient in his 25-point performance, and he also sank five or more triples for the 17th time this season. Over his last five appearances, the fifth-year guard has averaged 13.6 points, 4.0 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1.2 steals across 28.0 minutes per game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Extended run during garbage time
Rotowire
Pritchard finished Thursday's 127-120 loss to the Mavericks with 22 points (9-15 FG, 3-9 3Pt), six assists, six rebounds and one block over 33 minutes.
With Boston down by more than 20 points, head coach Joe Mazulla went with Pritchard and four other Celtics reserves for most of the fourth quarter. Pritchard scored 16 of his 22 points in the final frame, and it was the first time since Jan. 18 against Atlanta that the fifth-year guard reached the 20-point threshold. The Celtics may need that firepower from their Sixth Man of the Year candidate against the Knicks on Saturday.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Available for Tuesday
Rotowire
Pritchard (illness) will be available for Tuesday's game against the Cavaliers.
After missing Sunday's game against the 76ers for his first absence of the season, Pritchard is no longer appearing on the injury report. The guard holds averages of 10.8 points, 3.6 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 0.9 steals and 2.2 three-pointers over his last 10 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Out Sunday due to illness
Rotowire
Pritchard (illness) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 76ers, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Pritchard was a late addition to the injury report and will miss his first game of the season. In his absence, Sam Hauser and Jaden Springer are candidates for extra minutes. Pritchard's next chance to suit up will come Tuesday in Cleveland.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Questionable Sunday
Rotowire
Pritchard (illness) is questionable for Sunday's game against the 76ers, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Pritchard is in jeopardy of missing his first game of the season due to the non-COVID illness. If the sharpshooter is sidelined Sunday, Sam Hauser and Jaden Springer could see an uptick in playing time. Over his last five outings, Pritchard has averaged 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.4 steals in 26.6 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Scores 15 points in loss
Rotowire
Pritchard closed with 15 points (5-7 FG, 5-6 3Pt), four rebounds, three assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Monday's 114-112 loss to the Rockets.
Derrick White (leg) was unavailable and Al Horford (toe) was later reported as a late scratch, allowing Pritchard to be a bit more involved than usual. This game could give Pritchard a confidence boost, as he was held to single-digit points in his previous three games while shooting a combined 8-for-27 from the field.
