The Boston Celtics entered the 2024-2025 NBA season as the defending champions, carrying the weight of a target on their backs. Despite minimal offseason changes, the Celtics have proven themselves to be a formidable team with a legitimate chance at winning back-to-back championships.
With 15 wins already under their belt, the Celtics are off to a strong start. They even ended the Cleveland Cavaliers’ historic 15-0 streak, reminding everyone that they are still the reigning NBA champions. While their success can be attributed to team chemistry and a solid core, one player has emerged as the Celtics’ most pleasant surprise this season: Payton Pritchard.
Pritchard’s breakout season has been instrumental in the Celtics’ continued dominance. He is averaging career-highs of 14.8 points per game on impressive shooting percentages of 47.3% from the field and 42.6% from beyond the arc. Additionally, he contributes 2.6 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game.
Although Pritchard started off slow in his first game, he quickly found his rhythm and has been on fire ever since. His standout performance came against Eastern Conference rival, the Milwaukee Bucks, where he exploded for 28 points on 10-of-14 shooting, including eight three-pointers. With five 20-point games already under his belt this season, Pritchard’s impact cannot be ignored.
The emergence of Pritchard adds another offensive weapon to an already formidable Celtics lineup. While their starting five is widely regarded as one of the best in the league, Pritchard’s development puts other teams on notice. As a first-round pick in the 2020 NBA Draft, Pritchard was given time to develop and is now proving to be a diamond in the rough.
His breakout season also puts him in contention for the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award, a prestigious honor that has only been won by three other Celtics players in history: Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, and Malcolm Brogdon. Pritchard’s development not only strengthens the Celtics’ bench but also solidifies their case as the golden standard among NBA teams.
While Pritchard’s breakout season is undoubtedly impressive, it’s important to temper expectations as the regular season is still in its early stages. Other teams will surely devise game plans to slow down Boston, including strategies to contain Pritchard’s offensive prowess. However, the Celtics have proven themselves to be resilient and unfazed by any championship hangover.
With the return of Kristaps Porzingis and a thriving roster, Pritchard will continue to thrive and maintain his high level of performance. His recent 20-point game against the Los Angeles Clippers, where he knocked down six three-pointers in a blowout victory, is evidence that he shows no signs of slowing down.
If Pritchard can sustain this breakout season throughout the year, it greatly enhances the Celtics’ chances of successfully defending their title. The combination of team chemistry, talented core players, and an emerging star like Pritchard creates a formidable force that will be difficult for any opponent to overcome.