Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Notches 17 points off bench
Rotowire
Pritchard finished with 17 points (4-9 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 7-8 FT), four rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes during Tuesday's 121-113 loss to Detroit.
Pritchard matched Derrick White for Boston's second-highest scoring total despite the former coming off the bench. The guard generated much of his offense at the charity stripe, converting seven of eight attempts while committing zero turnovers. His 28-minute workload suggests he'll remain a significant part of the Celtics' backcourt rotation, although his limited playmaking in the opener was less encouraging for fantasy managers.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Set to play Tuesday
Rotowire
Pritchard (rest) is expected to play in Tuesday's game versus Detroit.
Pritchard didn't play in Friday's 125-120 preseason overtime win over Philadelphia but is on track to be on the floor when the Celtics begin the 2026-27 campaign versus the Pistons. The 2020 No. 26 overall pick is coming off his best season in 2025-26, averaging 17.0 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists across 32.4 minutes per contest in 79 regular-season games, including 50 starts. With Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia, there is room for Pritchard to take over as the No. 3 offensive option behind Paul George and Jayson Tatum, giving him more than enough upside for fantasy managers.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Resting Friday
Rotowire
Pritchard (rest) won't play in Friday's preseason finale against the 76ers, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
Pritchard and the rest of Boston's regulars won't be available for the final exhibition but should be good to go for the regular-season opener against the Pistons on Tuesday. Pritchard provided seven points (3-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), 11 assists and three rebounds over 29 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's 114-93 preseason win over Charlotte.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Double-digit dimes off bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Pritchard provided seven points (3-11 FG, 1-4 3Pt), 11 assists and three rebounds over 29 minutes off the bench during Wednesday's preseason win over Charlotte.
The 28-year-old guard had trouble getting his own shot to fall, but he led the Celtics in assists on the night while tying Jayson Tatum for the team lead in minutes. Pritchard posted better numbers last season than he did in 2024-25 when he won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award, averaging a career-best 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 boards, along with 2.7 threes in 32.4 minutes over 79 regular-season games, and he should be the engine of the second unit once again in 2026-27.
Pritchard signed a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension with the Celtics on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Pritchard's extension includes a mutual option for the 2029-30 campaign. The 28-year-old guard is coming off the best statistical year of his career, averaging 17.0 points, 5.2 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 0.7 steals across 32.4 minutes per game in 79 regular-season appearances (50 starts). Regardless of whether the 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year starts, he figures to play a sizable role for the Jaylen Brown-less Celtics.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Leads Boston in scoring Saturday
Rotowire
Pritchard posted 25 points (7-12 FG, 5-8 3Pt, 6-6 FT), seven assists and four rebounds over 24 minutes during Saturday's 144-106 preseason win over the 76ers.
Pritchard helped the Celtics race out to a commanding lead in the second quarter with 11 points, nine of which came on three triples. The seventh-year point guard has been the Celtics' offensive spark plug the last few seasons, and he operated in a starting role for most of last year in the absence of Jayson Tatum. Pritchard is expected to revert to a rotational role now that Tatum is back, but with Jaylen Brown now in Philadelphia and Paul George in Boston, Pritchard could be the Celtics' second offensive option on most nights.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Unavailable Thursday
Rotowire
Pritchard (undisclosed) has been ruled out for Thursday's preseason game against the Cavaliers, Sean Grande of NBC Sports Boston reports.
This appears to be a scheduled rest day for Pritchard, as the Celtics are sitting a number of their regular rotation players. He'll have an opportunity to suit up for Saturday's exhibition against the 76ers.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Eyeing bump in production
Rotowire
Pritchard said Monday that he's focused on making incremental improvements across the board rather than dramatically changing his game heading into the 2026-27 season, Bobby Krivitsky of Forbes.com reports.
The veteran guard mentioned becoming more efficient while also improving his production as a scorer, facilitator, rebounder and defender. Pritchard is coming off a career year in which he averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds across 79 regular-season appearances, and he should be an even important piece of Boston's backcourt this season with Jaylen Brown out of the picture.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: New role incoming
Rotowire
Pritchard could benefit from additional offensive opportunities after Boston dealt Jaylen Brown to Philadelphia, John Schuhmann of NBA.com reports.
Although Paul George is expected to step into a starting role, Brown's departure creates extra ball-handling and scoring chances throughout the rotation, potentially allowing Pritchard to build on last season's breakout campaign. Increased minutes in three-guard lineups could help preserve his fantasy relevance despite George's arrival.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Not listed on report for Sunday
Rotowire
Pritchard (foot) isn't listed on the injury report for Sunday's Game 1 against the 76ers.
Pritchard was held out of Boston's regular-season finale due to left foot plantar fasciitis, though he's set to return to action Sunday. The 28-year-old guard averaged 17.2 points, 5.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds across 30.3 minutes per tilt off the bench over his final six regular-season appearances.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Unlikely to play Sunday
Rotowire
Pritchard is listed as doubtful for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Magic due to left foot plantar fasciitis, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
The Celtics locked their spot as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference after their blowout win against the Pelicans on Friday. With nothing to play for Sunday, Boston will rest its entire starting lineup, and it looks like Pritchard will also not play against Orlando. If that's indeed the case, Pritchard will end the 2025-26 regular season averaging career highs in points (17.0), assists (5.2), rebounds (3.9) and minutes (32.4). Max Shulga, Dalano Banton, Baylor Scheierman, Hugo Gonzalez and other deep rotational players for the Celtics should all see extended action Sunday.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Double-doubles in rout
Rotowire
Pritchard ended Friday's 144-118 victory over the Pelicans with 21 points (7-14 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), three rebounds, 10 assists and one steal in 30 minutes.
Pritchard posted his fifth double-double of the season Friday, taking advantage of some extra usage left behind by the absence of Jayson Tatum (Achilles). Over his last seven contests, Pritchard has averaged 17.0 points, 4.6 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 3.3 three-pointers in 29.7 minutes per game while shooting 50.0 percent from deep.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Provides spark in loss
Rotowire
Pritchard posted 23 points (10-20 FG, 3-8 3Pt), six assists and three rebounds across 36 minutes in Thursday's 112-106 loss to the Knicks.
With Jaylen Brown (Achilles) out, Pritchard was far more aggressive on the offensive end Thursday. The 28-year-old guard led Boston's second unit in points and was the team's second-leading scorer behind Jayson Tatum (24), who struggled with efficiency. Pritchard also finished second on the club in assists and three-pointers made.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Scores 10 points in loss
Rotowire
Pritchard recorded 10 points (4-11 FG, 2-6 3Pt), one rebound, three assists and one steal over 27 minutes during Sunday's 102-92 loss to the Timberwolves.
Pritchard continues to play a massive role for the Celtics. Over his last six games, he's averaging 14.2 points, 4.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 0.8 steals and 2.5 three-pointers on 38.3 percent shooting from the field across 32.6 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Drains five triples off bench
Rotowire
Pritchard ended Monday's 120-112 win over the Suns with 19 points (6-13 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six assists, four rebounds and one steal over 37 minutes.
Pritchard once again gave the Celtics a much-needed boost off the bench, finishing as the team's fourth-leading scorer while co-leading in assists with Jaylen Brown and Neemias Queta. Pritchard entered Monday's game having connected on just 18.8 percent of his three-point attempts (on 6.4 3PA/G) over his last five outings, so seeing his success from beyond the arc against Phoenix was a promising sign.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Upgraded to available
Rotowire
Pritchard (neck) is available for Thursday's game against the Thunder.
After sitting out Tuesday's loss to the Spurs due to neck spasms, Pritchard is ready to return Thursday. Over his last six games, the sharpshooter has averaged 13.8 points, 5.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds in 30.4 minutes per contest. Pritchard's return likely means less playing time for Ron Harper off the bench.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Iffy for Tuesday
Rotowire
Pritchard (neck) is questionable for Tuesday's game against the Spurs, Taylor Snow of the Celtics' official site reports.
Pritchard is in jeopardy of missing just his second game of the season and his first since Jan. 17 due to neck spasms. If the 28-year-old guard is unable to suit up, Baylor Scheierman and Hugo Gonzalez would be candidates for increased playing time off the bench, while Ron Harper could enter the rotation.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Efficient performance off bench
Rotowire
Pritchard had 18 points (8-17 FG, 2-8 3Pt), seven rebounds, six assists and two blocks over 34 minutes during Friday's 120-100 win over the Mavericks.
Pritchard bounced back from a scoreless outing Wednesday, providing a balanced line and leading the Celtics' second unit in scoring. While his three-point shooting was slightly off, he found success inside the arc and contributed significantly on the glass and as a playmaker. Despite the return of Jayson Tatum (Achilles) to the starting lineup, Pritchard still logged 34 minutes, suggesting his role as the primary spark plug off the bench remains secure even with the team's superstar back in the mix.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Drops donut in heavy loss
Rotowire
Pritchard racked up zero points (0-6 FG, 0-5 3Pt) and two rebounds in 24 minutes during Wednesday's 118-89 loss to the Hornets.
Pritchard went scoreless for the second time in the past three games, continuing what has been a weird stretch. It's been night and day over his past six games, as he's scored no more than eight points in four appearances while dropping 22 and 25 points in the other two contests. He remains a clear hold, although managers would love to see him add some consistency to his game.
... See More... See Less
Celtics' Payton Pritchard: Big night vs. Milwaukee
Rotowire
Pritchard closed with 25 points (10-23 FG, 5-10 3Pt), four rebounds and nine assists in 34 minutes during Monday's 108-81 victory over the Bucks.
Pritchard responded in a big way after being held scoreless in Sunday's win over the Sixers. He was particularly dialed in from beyond the arc, where he tacked on 15 of his 25 points. Pritchard was also effective as a distributor, as he posted his highest assist total since Dec. 20.
