Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard took a big leap this past season en route to winning the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award.
Another leap on the court next season could land him in the All-Star conversation, according to Yahoo Sports’ Kevin O’Connor.
O’Connor went on NBC Sports Boston’s “The Off C’season” show and made his All-Star case for Pritchard, believing the 27-year-old guard has a chance to continue his upward trajectory and produce even more during the 2025-26 campaign, especially with Jayson Tatum sidelined with a torn Achillies.
“My bold prediction is that you’re gonna see Payton Pritchard put up borderline All-Star numbers,” O’Connor said, as transcribed by NBC Boston’s Justin Leger. “If you look at his numbers last year with Tatum off the floor, he averaged 22 (points), six (rebounds), and five (assists) per 75 possessions in minutes without Jayson Tatum. I think Pritchard has shown so much with the opportunities given that this undoubtedly will be fun. It’s going to be a fun year, and it’s gonna create opportunities for guys to grow.”
Nobody in the NBA came off the bench and had the production Pritchard did last season. He averaged career highs in points (14.3), rebounds (3.8) and assists (3.5) while shooting 47.2% from the field and 40.7% on 7.8 3-point attempts per game.
Pritchard, who earned 28.4 minutes per game last season, could jump into Joe Mazzulla’s starting lineup after the Celtics traded Derrick White’s backcourt mate in Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers. But if Joe Mazzulla opts to have Anfernee Simons in the starting lineup then Pritchard could reprise his role as Boston’s sixth man.
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Regardless, it will be a difficult task for Pritchard to make the All-Star Game. He wasn’t close to achieving the honor last season despite his breakout campaign.
But if Pritchard is just in the conversation like O’Connor predicted, that will be great news for the Celtics who will need him and others to step up with Tatum out.
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