You do not need to be a fan of the Boston Celtics to be dialed in to the meteoric rise of backup Boston combo guard Payton Pritchard.

ORLANDO — The impact of Payton Pritchard on this year’s Celtics team has been perhaps the biggest surprise. The fourth-year guard is a frontrunner for Sixth Man of the Year award and has become a fan favorite because of his ability to hit threes in bunches.

The Massachusetts club is the most frequent at these attempts, leading the NBA with a historically prolific 51.3 attempts per contest. However, it’s not only about shooting, it is also about precision, as the Celtics 18.8 made threes per game are the most converted this year, at 36.7%.

The the University of Oregon alum has launched himself to the front of the race for the NBA's 2025 Sixth Man of the Year award.

Payton Pritchard is reaching new heights with the Boston Celtics so far this season. The the University of Oregon native has firmly taken the lead in the NBA's race for the 2025 Sixth Man of the Year award, and has even begun to insert himself into the thick of the race for the league's Most Improved Player award as well.

Payton Pritchard has been turning heads this season for the Celtics, and an ex-NBA player gave the guard his flowers.

Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics has made it clear that criticism of the team’s heavy reliance on three-point shooting doesn’t bother him or the team.