Ex-Celtic Kendrick Perkins calls Payton Pritchard a ‘bright spot for Boston’
Pritchard had 19 points off the bench during Wednesday's win versus the Bucks, shooting 7-of-11 from the field with six rebounds and three assists.
Less than a year ago, Payton Pritchard was playing a career-low 13.4 minutes in just 48 games. Limited minutes in the postseason led Pritchard to request a trade, resigning himself to a dim future in Boston.
Instead, however, something unexpected occurred in the offseason. The then-25-year-old inked a 4-year, $30 million contract extension, signaling a bid of faith for the young guard.
Now, after months of patience, Pritchard proved he’s worthy of minutes down the stretch.
In Wednesday’s 122-119 too-close-for-comfort win over the Bucks, Pritchard had 19 points off the bench, shot 7-of-11 from the field, including 5-of-8 from three with six rebounds and three assists.
“Last night, Payton Pritchard put the world on notice,” ex-Celtic Kendrick Perkins said on ESPN’s “NBA Today” Thursday. “This is a guy that was out of the rotation last postseason and without him, they don’t win that basketball game last night.”
Pritchard – who’s averaging a career-best of 8.4 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.9 assists – wasn’t just an offensive force in Wednesday’s conference matchup. The 6-foot-1 guard challenged larger defenders, was relentless with his on-ball coverage, and electrified the crowd.
Twelve months ago a Pritchard standing ovation would’ve been, well, bizarre. After Wednesday’s performance, it makes sense.
“What he brought from a tenacity standpoint. Getting the crowd fired up along with getting buckets. This young man has been getting buckets since he’s been at Oregon. This is a bright spot for the Boston Celtics. No Jrue Holiday, all of a sudden this man comes in, has 19 points off the bench,” Perkins said.
Sitting atop the Eastern Conference and holding a still-league-best 55-14 record, only 13 games remain on Boston’s regular season schedule. As they barrel towards the postseason once again, Pritchard could be the Celtics’ secret weapon of the “stay ready” crew.
The Celtics take on the Pistons in Detroit on Friday at 7 p.m.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com