Payton Pritchard has given the Celtics both ends of the spectrum to open the season, and Boston needs a lot more of the good version.
With Jaylen Brown no longer on the roster, the Celtics are counting on Pritchard’s shot creation and microwave scoring more than ever. He has already flashed that ceiling in a big way, including 28 points on 10-for-16 shooting against the Chicago Bulls and 30 points on 9-for-17 shooting in another game against the Bulls. But the production has been too uneven to ignore.
Through seven games, four of Pritchard’s outings have landed in the disappointing-or-worse category. Against the New York Knicks, he finished with four points on 1-for-5 shooting, including 1-for-3 from deep, while adding four assists, one rebound and two turnovers in 30 minutes.
Two games later against the Brooklyn Nets, he had four points on 2-for-7 shooting and 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, along with six assists, two rebounds, a block and three turnovers in 24 minutes. Then came the Orlando Magic game, where he posted seven points on 3-for-11 shooting and missed all seven of his 3-point attempts, while also collecting seven rebounds, three assists, one steal, one block and a turnover in 27 minutes.
His roughest night may have been Monday against the Houston Rockets. Paul George sat out for rest, giving Pritchard a chance to shoulder more of the offense, but it never materialized.
In the loss, the 28-year-old scored four points on 0-for-7 shooting and 0-for-5 from long range. He also added three rebounds, three assists, one steal and a turnover in 30 minutes.
He is now 0-for-12 from beyond the arc over his last two games.
Still, this is early. Pritchard has shown enough over the past few years to suggest this stretch won’t last forever, and Boston is going to need him to settle in. If he finds his rhythm and starts delivering with more consistency, it could do a lot to lift the Celtics’ ceiling this season.
In Other News...
Celtics Face A Brutal Energy Test On The Road Tonight
The Celtics head to Toyota Center tonight looking to keep their early-season momentum rolling after a win over the Orlando Magic, with a chance to move to 6-1. Even with Boston dealing with absences, this is the kind of road spot that asks plenty of a teams legs and focus, especially against a Houston group that has had its own injury and G League-related turnover.
Houston has still found production from its top end, with Kevin Durant and Alperen Sengun giving the Rockets a sturdy foundation despite the missing pieces around them. For Boston, the challenge is less about the opponents availability and more about matching the energy level from the opening tip, because a night like this can turn quickly if the Celtics are even a step slow. [Read more 🡒]
Payton Pritchard Is Becoming A Real Celtics Ceiling Question
Payton Pritchard has already shown this season why the Celtics believe he can swing a game off the bench. Boston is 5-1, and Pritchard has been part of that start as a secondary scoring option who can change the tone in a hurry when his shot is falling. Through six games, he is averaging 15 points and 3.5 assists, numbers that reflect both his value and the role he has settled into as one of the teams most important reserve guards.
The issue for Boston is less about whether Pritchard can help and more about how often he can do it. He has flashed real scoring pop in a couple of games, but the Celtics need a steadier version of him if they want their offense to hold up against the leagues best teams. For a roster with championship expectations, the question around Pritchard is becoming part of the larger ceiling conversation, because Boston will need more than occasional bursts if it wants his impact to match its ambitions. [Read more 🡒]
Luka Garza Just Gave Celtics Fans A Real Rotation Debate
Luka Garza gave the Celtics something they did not always have in a rough offensive night: a frontcourt option who could space the floor. He scored 14 points and knocked down four 3-pointers, which stood out in a game where Boston had trouble getting much going and Houston dictated the action with its work inside and in transition.
For a team still sorting out its big-man mix, Garzas shooting touch adds a wrinkle the coaching staff has to weigh as the rotation gets revisited. The loss left Boston with more questions than answers, but it also offered a reminder that there may be another way to use the frontcourt if the Celtics want more perimeter punch from that group. [Read more 🡒]