The 2023–24 season marked a true breakout for Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard. After three years of inconsistent minutes and lingering trade rumors, the then-26-year-old finally carved out a steady role and became a key contributor to the Celtics’ pursuit of Banner 18. He emerged as a fan favorite, with his gritty play style and elite half-court shooting making him an indispensable piece of the Celtics’ rotation.
This season, however, Pritchard has taken another significant leap in production, drawing league-wide attention and garnering consideration for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award. The Sixth Man of the Year award is given annually to the NBA’s most impactful reserve, with the only criteria being the player must come off the bench in more games than they start. As it stands, Pritchard is the betting favorite to win the award, and for good reason.
One of the clearest indicators of Pritchard’s impact is his average of 28.4 minutes per game. Despite coming off the bench, the Celtics rely on him to log a starter-level workload. Even on a team filled with All-Star talents like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Pritchard’s on-court presence remains essential.
The scoring ability he provides off the bench is unmatched. For the season, Pritchard is averaging 14.3 points per game, with a total of 1,144 points — more than any other reserve in the league. He also leads the NBA in 20-point games off the bench, with 23 in total, highlighted by a 43-point outburst Mar 5 where he knocked down 10 three-pointers.
Long-distance shooting has been Pritchard’s calling card, as he’s knocked down 40.7% of his 7.8 three-point attempts per game, personifying the Celtics’ shoot-at-will philosophy. March 17, he broke the NBA’s record for most three-point shots made off the bench in a single season, building on that total to reach 255 by season’s end. That mark also made Celtics history, as Pritchard became one of three players, alongside Derrick White and Jayson Tatum, to surpass the franchise’s previous single-season three-point record.
It’s worth acknowledging the strides Pritchard has made as a defender this season. He’s always exhibited an ability to score the ball throughout his career, but his defensive limitations as a 6-foot-1 guard made it difficult for him to stay on the floor for extended stretches. This season, he’s grown to embrace the other side of the ball and combat his physical shortcomings with unrelenting competitiveness and effort.
Pritchard’s growth on the defensive end has been a crucial element of his breakout 2024–25 campaign. His ability to make an impact on both sides of the ball has earned the trust of the coaching staff and solidified his place in the Celtics’ rotation.
Head Coach Joe Mazzulla has raved about Pritchard’s importance all season. “He doesn’t really play to a scoreboard. He just plays to compete, and that’s a beautiful gift,” said Mazzulla following a win over the Detroit Pistons Dec. 12.
While statistics play a role in evaluating award candidates, basketball is about more than just numbers. It’s about impact, energy, and the intangible qualities that can shift the tone of a game — and few players have embodied that more this season than Payton Pritchard.
His relentless motor, team-first mentality, and ability to change the game off the bench perfectly capture what it means to be a team’s go-to reserve. In every sense of the role, Pritchard has earned the title of Sixth Man of the Year.