Payton Pritchard notches career-high 31 points Friday, another milestone looms Sunday
Pritchard is the only Celtic to not miss a game this season — he can complete the perfect 82 on Sunday.
In a game where the Celtics rested all their stars, Payton Pritchard’s light shined brightest.
Normally reserved for a key bench role, Pritchard started and played 30 minutes in the first three quarters before sitting for the final frame. He commanded the Celtics’ offense and notched a career-high 31 points, with 11 assists for good measure.
Impressively, that probably won’t even be the most remarkable feat he achieves this weekend.
That’s because Pritchard is on the brink of playing in all 82 games this season. With no lingering injuries to hinder him, he should certainly reach that milestone. If he does, he’ll be the only Boston player to appear in every single game, and one of just six NBA players this season with 100 percent availability.
“It’s definitely a big accomplishment for me,” Pritchard said. “To play 82 games is tough, through the summer, the work I put in to get my body ready for that. But also just the journey of me, like last year and my second year, times where I didn’t play at all, and how frustrating that is and how much it hurt at times.
“But, it just fueled me to keep working. And, for this year to come and to play 82 games and be a part of the best team in the NBA and try to do something special, it definitely feels good.”
Pritchard’s consistency on the court improved this season as he rounded into an established role at the No. 7 spot in the Celtics’ rotation. Postgame, Pritchard noted how that helped him improve his game and be a more valuable player for Boston.
“Having a consistent role for an entire season is really beneficial,” Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said. “I think this is the first time he’s had that where you know each and every night exactly when he’s playing, where he’s playing, and what the potential is.”
Prichard noted that he’s still working to improve his playmaking and be a better rounded point guard in terms of distributing the ball. But, with 11 assists overall and five in the first quarter, it’s clear he’s taken strides in that area.
Pritchard helped guide Boston to a 131-98 win in a battle of teams with nothing to play for. It looks like he’ll be a starter again for the Celtics’ regular season finale — and game 82 — against the Wizards on Sunday.
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