Payton Pritchard proved his value again on Saturday night by leading the Boston Celtics with 25 points in a 144-106 preseason win over the Philadelphia 76ers. He shot 7-of-12 from the field and hit 5-of-8 three-pointers while adding seven assists and four rebounds.
The game at TD Garden was a blowout, but the story was how Pritchard took over. Nine of those points came from three triples. He did this in just 24 minutes of play, proving he does not need a full game to make an impact.
A New Role for the Seventh-Year Guard
Pritchard has been the offensive spark plug for Boston over the last few seasons. Jayson Tatum was out for most of last year, so CBS Sports said he operated in a starting role. Now that Tatum is back, reports suggest Pritchard will return to a rotational spot. However, the situation looks different this year because of other roster moves.
Jaylen Brown is now in Philadelphia, and Paul George has joined the Celtics. This shift means Pritchard could become the team’s second offensive option on many nights. Yahoo Sports highlighted that he came off the bench during this win, which fits the sixth man role he played well earlier in his career. He does not need to start to be the main guy in the second unit.
Paul George and Mitchell Robinson Make Debuts
The win was not just about Pritchard. It marked the first time the main rotation players saw action in this preseason. On Saturday at home, Paul George and Mitchell Robinson made their Celtics debuts. They rested most of their top guys for that game when the team beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Thursday in Cleveland.
This Saturday game gave the fans their first real look at the new lineup. Despite a slow start, the Celtics dominated the Sixers by 38 points.
Looking Ahead to the Regular Season
There are still two exhibition games left before the regular season starts. The results do not count yet, but the two wins so far have been impressive. The Celtics are back in action on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Hornets at the Garden. That game will be another test for the new roster.
Pritchard’s ability to score and run the floor is a key piece for the team. He has shown he can step up when the game matters. With the new additions and his own growth, the offense looks ready to run. The preseason is a time to find rhythm, and Pritchard found his early.
