Payton Pritchard, who initially thought he was ‘done,’ is making progress after MCL sprain
“I just want to be out there and playing and competing. That’s what I’m worried about."
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When Payton Pritchard experienced what felt like a pop in his right knee last Friday against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics rookie immediately questioned whether he’d return this season.
“My mind was like ‘I’m done. I’m done for however long,'” Pritchard told reporters. “You start to, not necessarily panic, but that was the first time it happened to me.”
Pritchard said he was initially concerned about a potential ligament tear, but he was diagnosed with an MCL sprain. While the diagnosis curbs his momentum and will set him back at least two weeks total, the consensus is that he could have been more severely injured after teammate Jaylen Brown landed on him.
He said didn’t miss a game in his high school or college career, so sitting out is a new and unpleasant experience that has taken some getting used to. Pritchard added that he’s making steady progress, and it appears as though he won’t be out for too much longer.
“I just want to be out there and playing and competing,” Pritchard said. “That’s what I’m worried about. I just want to get back out there.”
#NEBHInjuryreport update: Payton Pritchard (knee) says he’s been able to ramp up his on-court activity over the last few days. “I’m starting to move and cut and stuff like that. So I’m getting there.”
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) January 29, 2021
Pritchard, the 26th overall selection in the 2020 draft, had impressed early in his NBA career, averaging 7.7 points, 2.6 assists, 2.4 rebounds, and shooting 48.8 percent from the floor, 42.5 percent from 3, and 90 percent from the line in his first 14 games.
At the same time, Pritchard realizes there’s always room to improve, so he’s been taking mental notes from the bench this week. He’s observed the habits of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker, and Marcus Smart, among other players, paying specific attention to how they’re able to do what they do so effectively.
Pritchard said he’s been able to absorb little details that he didn’t notice while he was playing and has benefited from sitting and talking with the coaches.
“I try to pick up things from everybody,” Pritchard said. “I try to find ways to learn and keep growing.”
Fast(healing)PP https://t.co/zelpOmpphr
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) January 28, 2021
As much as he wants to return to action, he said he’s focused on not rushing and is prioritizing going through the process the right way. Pritchard said he’s already back on the court, starting to move and cut.
He noted that he’s “a little over 50 percent” at the moment and that his status has improved each day.
“It’s going to be when I feel the best and our staff thinks I’m able to go out there and be 100 percent,” Pritchard said. “That’s the biggest thing. I’m not trying to go out there if I’m 80 or 90 percent. I want to be back fully.”
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