Why playing alongside Payton Pritchard is a luxury for Jayson Tatum

TL;DR

Payton Pritchard scored a playoff career-high 32 points in the Celtics' 128-96 win over the 76ers. Jayson Tatum praised Pritchard's competitiveness and shooting ability, highlighting the advantage of having him as a scoring option off the bench.

Key points

Payton Pritchard scored a playoff career-high 32 points
Celtics defeated the 76ers 128-96
Jayson Tatum praised Pritchard's competitiveness
Pritchard was close to a Celtics postseason scoring record
Coach Joe Mazzulla highlighted Pritchard's role in winning

Mentioned in this story

Reggie Miller

Boston CelticsPhiladelphia 76ersPayton PritchardJayson Tatum

PHILADELPHIA — At some level, every player in the NBA is confident in their own abilities. However, one needs a special kind of bravado to yell at a Hall of Famer in the middle of a playoff game as a bench player. And Boston Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard has exactly that. In the first quarter of the Celtics' 128-96 drubbing of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night, Pritchard came off the bench and immediately demolished his competition. He even drained a deep 3-pointer near the Xfinity Mobile Arena logo with a little under 4 minutes to go in the first frame and engaged in some friendly banter with Hall of Famer turned commentator Reggie Miller, who was right in Pritchard's field of view.

Apr 26, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) reacts after making a three point basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images "I get going off that," Pritchard revealed postgame. "And I probably use it to my advantage to get going even more." While those who just think of Pritchard as an undersized sixth man might be surprised by his boldness, Celtics star Jayson Tatum isn't. "He's always been competitive, doesn't back down from anybody, always takes on the challenge," Tatum said. "And just his ability to create his own shot, how well he can, obviously, shoot the ball. It's a luxury to have a guy like that who can score with the best of them coming off the bench on your team." Pritchard finished with 32 points (a playoff career-high) in his 34 minutes off the bench and scorched the Sixers from start to finish. The 2024-25 Sixth Man of the Year was just 2 points shy of tying Kevin McHale for the most points by a bench player in a postseason game in Celtics history and credited his coaches for instilling him with the confidence to go out and shoot. "They want me to be in attack mode, be able to touch the paint," Pritchard described. "And so when you're hearing your coaches say that — that gives you the ultimate freedom." Freedom is a good word for it, as Pritchard looked limitless with the ball in his hands. He blew by defenders, launched from way beyond the arc, and used his stellar night to get his teammates open looks. "We're at our best when he's aggressive and he's bought into any role that's necessary to winning," Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla praised. "He just cares about competing, cares about the right stuff." The 76ers ended Game 4 with 9 triples — Pritchard had 6. The 76ers had 0 offensive rebounds at halftime while Pritchard, who stands at 6-foot-1 and is one of the few NBA players who can blend into a crowd, had 1. His effort is unmatched and he's so skilled that his size is almost an advantage. The only thing that surpasses his work ethic, talent, and basketball IQ is his confidence. So don't be surprised if he's shouting after a big shot during Game 5 of the first round (which the Celtics now lead 3-1) on Tuesday night. "I'm not sure," Celtics star said with a smile when asked what Pritchard screams when he's in a flow state. "Whatever it is, tell him to keep doing it. It's working." Listen to "Havlicek Stole the Pod" on: Blue Wire: iTunes: YouTube: *This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: *

Q&A

What was Payton Pritchard's performance in the playoff game against the 76ers?

Payton Pritchard scored 32 points, marking a playoff career-high, and contributed significantly to the Celtics' victory.

How did Jayson Tatum describe Payton Pritchard's impact on the Celtics?

Jayson Tatum described Pritchard as a luxury for the team due to his competitiveness and ability to score effectively off the bench.

What record did Payton Pritchard nearly tie during the game?

Pritchard was just 2 points shy of tying Kevin McHale for the most points by a bench player in a postseason game in Celtics history.

What did Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla say about Payton Pritchard's role?

Coach Joe Mazzulla praised Pritchard for his aggressive play and commitment to winning, emphasizing that the team performs best when he embraces his role.