Payton Pritchard humbled by Sixth Man honors, but knows the work has just begun
"It’s great to have this award but to cap off the season I’d much rather have a ring with it than an individual award."
The lofty goals Payton Pritchard set and the hard work he put in over the past few seasons paid off Tuesday as the Celtics guard was named the NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Pritchard said receiving the award is an honor and a sign that he is on the right path. He is driven to continue the growth that put him in this position.
The 6-foot-1-inch, 195-pound guard has faced his share of doubters over the course of his basketball career. He took his game to another level this year and now has a trophy to show for it.
“It’s kind of like just having this dying passion for something I love, that I pour everything into every day,” Pritchard said. “It’s a commitment I’ve had since a young age and a belief in myself that I could do things that a lot of people said and the majority of everybody said I would never be able to do. That’s really it.”
Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla said Pritchard’s consistency, competitiveness, and versatility have helped him carve out a significant role on this team. Pritchard talked on several occasions about the struggles he faced a few years ago when he wasn’t getting as much playing time as he wanted.
While he scored a career-best 14.3 points per game and shoot 40.7 percent from the field during the regular season, Pritchard has learned to impact the game beyond just his shooting, Mazzulla said.
“It’s a credit to him, it’s a credit to the player development staff,” Mazzulla said. “They’ve worked together for three or four years and I’ve said it before about him, it’s easy for guys to slip through the cracks dealing with uncertainty in the first couple years of the league but he dealt with it with a high level of professionalism and competitive nature and that’s part of what makes him really good. I’m happy for him and grateful that we have him.”
Pritchard said he is honored to join a long list of Celtics who have won the award. Malcolm Brogdon won it in 2023. Kevin McHale and Bill Walton have also won the trophy that is named after former Celtic great John Havlicek.
But, Pritchard acknowledged that his work is far from finished with the Celtics in the midst of a playoff run. He scored 14 points on 3-for-6 shooting from 3-point range in Wednesday’s 109-100 win, which put the Celtics up 2-0 in the series.
“We were talking about it last night. It’s definitely like you’re thankful and it’s an exciting moment. We captured a video,” Pritchard said. “It’s kind of like I’m glad to get it but my mind has quickly shifted. The main goal is to get a ring. It’s great to have this award but to cap off the season I’d much rather have a ring with it than an individual award. The most important thing is to get this for the team and the city.”
Tatum out
Jayson Tatum missed Wednesday’s Game 2 with a right distal radius bone bruise. Tatum suffered the bruise on a dunk attempt in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s victory.
“The progression was that yesterday he was able to do a little bit with the team, today he was able to get on the court,” Mazzulla said. “He’ll be day-to-day. We’ll see how he is when he gets here but I know he’s doing everything he can to put himself in position to play.”
Courage for Holiday
The North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League announced that Celtic guard Jrue Holiday and his wife Lauren have joined its ownership group.
Lauren Holiday won Olympic gold medals in women’s soccer in 2008 and 2012 and a Women’s World Cup in 2015 with Team USA. Jrue Holiday, who won gold medals with Team USA basketball in 2020 and 2024, said he is excited to invest in the team.
“I’m incredibly honored to join the North Carolina Courage,” Jrue Holiday said in a press release. “This club represents the future of women’s soccer — not just in how we play the game, but in how we empower athletes, connect with communities, and build a sustainable future for the sport.
“I believe deeply in the mission and vision of the Courage, and I’m excited to contribute in meaningful ways — especially when it comes to player development and overall culture.”
Huskies honored
The UConn women’s basketball team, which won its 12th national title earlier this month, was honored for its achievements at halfcourt Wednesday night. Azzi Fudd, who was named Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, was in attendance. Big East Freshman of the Year Sarah Strong, the daughter of Celtics vice president for team operations and organizational growth Allison Feaster, was also among the honorees . . . Patriots owner Robert Kraft and coach Mike Vrabel were seated next to each other at the game on the night before the NFL Draft. The Patriots hold the No. 4 overall pick in Thursday’s first round.
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