From Underdog to Celtics Star: The rise of Payton Pritchard

With just four seconds remaining before halftime, the Boston Celtics needed to move quickly. Trailing the clock rather than the opposition, they had one final opportunity to add to their lead before the break.

Luka Dončić had just converted a basket and earned a trip to the free-throw line, looking to complete the three-point play. But his free throw missed, and Boston secured the rebound.

The ball bounced off the back of the rim before falling into the hands of forward Al Horford. That extra bounce cost the Celtics precious time. By the moment Horford released an outlet pass to point guard Payton Pritchard, just 2.5 seconds remained.

Pritchard caught the ball beyond his own three-point line. There was no hesitation, no panic. He knew exactly what he had to do.

After a single dribble, he gathered himself and launched a shot from just in front of half court. It was not a desperate heave thrown towards the basket in hope. The shot was controlled, balanced and beautifully executed, complete with textbook mechanics and a smooth follow-through.

The clock struck zero. The red lights around the backboard flashed, and the ball sailed through the net.

Nothing but net.

Nearly 20,000 fans watched as Pritchard delivered a moment of pure basketball magic. His teammates rushed to celebrate with him as Boston headed into halftime with a commanding 67–46 lead.

The 49-foot buzzer-beater in Game 5 of the 2024 NBA Finals became one of the defining highlights of Boston’s championship run. It was a shot that captured everything Pritchard had worked towards: confidence, preparation and the ability to deliver when the spotlight was brightest.

For a player who had spent years fighting for opportunities, it was another reminder that he belonged on the biggest stage.

Undersized, but Never Outmatched

In basketball, size can open doors. But it does not guarantee success.

Standing at just 6-foot-1, Pritchard has spent much of his career competing against taller, longer and more physically imposing opponents. Rather than allowing his stature to become a limitation, he has built his game around speed, relentless energy, exceptional ball-handling and an ability to score from virtually anywhere on the court.

Whenever Pritchard steps onto the hardwood, opposing defences must account for his shooting range. Leave him open for even a moment, and he can make them pay.

His three-point shooting has become a defining feature of his game and an increasingly important weapon in the Celtics’ offensive system. Yet his rise to NBA prominence was never simply a story of natural shooting ability. It was built on years of development, persistence and an unwavering belief in his own potential.

Building a Foundation in Oregon

Born and raised in Oregon, Pritchard established himself as one of the state’s most accomplished high school basketball players. He led West Linn High School to four consecutive state championships, earning numerous individual honours along the way.

In 2015, he was named Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year and emerged as a highly regarded four-star recruit.

Pritchard initially committed to the University of Oklahoma, where his father had played football. He eventually reconsidered, choosing to remain close to home and continue his basketball career at the University of Oregon.

Unlike many highly touted prospects who leave college after a single season, Pritchard stayed in Eugene for all four years. Each season brought new challenges, greater responsibility and another opportunity to refine his game.

His size remained a question mark, but his competitiveness and determination were never in doubt.

There were early signs of the player he would eventually become. During his freshman season, Pritchard helped Oregon produce a dramatic finish against the UCLA Bruins. He knocked down a deep three-pointer to bring the Ducks within one point before assisting on Dillon Brooks’ game-winning three over Lonzo Ball.

Long before his NBA debut, Pritchard was already demonstrating an ability to remain composed under pressure and influence the outcome of a game.

His development continued during his sophomore season, when he earned Second-Team All-Pac-12 honours after significantly increasing his scoring output.

As a junior, he helped lead Oregon to an unexpected Pac-12 Tournament championship, earning tournament MVP recognition in the process.

Pritchard briefly declared for the 2019 NBA Draft before withdrawing and returning to Oregon for his senior season. The decision proved instrumental in shaping his professional future.

A Senior Season to Remember

Pritchard’s final collegiate campaign was the culmination of four years of steady improvement.

He produced a career-high 38 points against Arizona, established himself as one of the nation’s most productive guards and guided Oregon to the Pac-12 regular-season title. He also finished his college career as the program’s all-time assists leader.

His season averages of 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game reflected a player who had developed into far more than a perimeter shooter.

The individual recognition followed. Pritchard was named Pac-12 Player of the Year, earned Consensus First-Team All-American honours and received the prestigious Bob Cousy Award, presented to the nation’s top collegiate point guard.

Four years earlier, he had arrived in Eugene as a promising recruit. Now, he was leaving as one of the most accomplished players in college basketball.

The next challenge awaited in the NBA.

Earning His Place in Boston

The Boston Celtics selected Pritchard with the 26th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft.

It was a significant milestone, but it also marked the beginning of another battle. Could a 6-foot-1 guard translate his college success to the professional game? Would his shooting and ball-handling compensate for the physical advantages enjoyed by bigger NBA guards?

Pritchard wasted little time making his case.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the usual NBA schedule, but he made his preseason debut on December 15, 2020, scoring 17 points against Philadelphia. He quickly demonstrated that he could contribute to a team competing at the highest level.

During his rookie season, Pritchard appeared in 66 games, starting four, and established himself as a useful rotation guard. His ability to provide instant offence, move the ball efficiently and compete against more physically imposing opponents made him a valuable option off the bench.

He did not need to dominate possession to make an impact. Instead, he offered the Celtics energy, shooting and a willingness to take responsibility when opportunities arose.

As Boston continued to develop its roster, Pritchard’s role evolved. He remained a reliable reserve behind the team’s established guards, working to improve the details of his game and earn greater trust from the coaching staff.

He also spent time sharpening his skills in the NBA G League, where he averaged 17 points and eight assists during the summer of 2021.

The work was gradual, and the rewards were not always immediate. But Pritchard was learning how to turn his strengths into a sustainable NBA career.

In 2022, he experienced his first deep postseason run, helping Boston reach the NBA Finals. The Celtics ultimately fell to the Golden State Warriors, losing the series 4–2.

Although the championship remained out of reach, Pritchard had experienced the intensity of basketball’s biggest stage. The challenge now was to establish himself as more than a dependable supporting player.

A Trade Request That Changed Everything

Progress is rarely a straight line, and Pritchard’s career was no exception.

As Boston’s backcourt competition intensified, his playing time became increasingly inconsistent. His minutes, points, rebounds and assists per game fell to career lows, leaving him frustrated by his limited opportunities.

There were still flashes of his potential. Pritchard recorded the first triple-double of his NBA career, finishing with 30 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.

But individual performances could not solve the larger problem: he wanted a bigger role.

Boston’s disappointing exit in the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, when the Celtics lost to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, added to the frustration. Pritchard requested a trade, believing a fresh start elsewhere might give him the opportunity he needed.

For a time, his future in Boston appeared uncertain.

The Celtics, however, recognised the value of the player they had drafted three years earlier. Rather than allowing the situation to reach a breaking point, the organisation committed to him with a four-year, $30 million contract extension.

The message was clear: Boston believed in his ability and wanted him to remain part of its future.

Pritchard responded by improving his production and shooting efficiency while taking advantage of the opportunities available to him. He averaged 22.3 minutes per game and was the only Celtic to appear in all 82 regular-season games during the 2023–24 campaign.

In retrospect, his trade request was less about wanting to leave Boston than wanting to play meaningful basketball.

As Pritchard later explained:

“At the time, I wasn’t playing. I’ve talked about this before, but it was probably a little delusional confidence that I have, but it’s from my work, the hours I put in. But I believed I could help this team win and at a high level.

“Now, many people didn’t believe it at the time or thought I was crazy, but I truly believed that. Obviously, things opened up for me, and it worked out, and I took advantage of it, and hopefully I will continue to take advantage of it.”

That confidence was about to be rewarded on a much bigger stage.

Seizing the Moment

The 2023–24 NBA season marked a turning point in Pritchard’s career. No longer simply a reserve asked to provide occasional scoring bursts, he became an increasingly influential part of Boston’s rotation.

In the regular-season finale against the Washington Wizards, Pritchard delivered a career-high 38 points alongside 12 assists. The performance placed him among an exclusive group of Celtics players to record consecutive 30-point, 10-assist double-doubles, alongside franchise legends John Havlicek, Larry Bird and Bob Cousy.

He carried that momentum into the playoffs, where Boston embarked on a championship run.

The Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals before facing the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Boston controlled the series, winning four games to one and securing the franchise’s 18th NBA championship.

Pritchard played a valuable role throughout the postseason, providing perimeter shooting, pace and scoring off the bench. And when the opportunity arrived to create a moment that would live forever in Celtics history, he took it.

His 49-foot buzzer-beater in Game 5 was not his only spectacular long-range shot of the series. In Game 2, Pritchard buried another deep three-pointer at the end of the third quarter, helping Boston maintain its momentum in a 105–98 victory.

The two shots became defining highlights of the Finals, reinforcing his reputation as one of the league’s most dangerous long-range threats when the clock was winding down.

For Boston supporters, Pritchard had already become a fan favourite. After helping the Celtics capture the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy, he secured his place in the story of the franchise’s latest championship era.

Yet the title was not the end of his development. It was the beginning of a new chapter.

From Sixth Man to a Leading Role

Pritchard’s next major breakthrough came during the 2024–25 season, when he elevated his game and earned the NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award.

The honour recognised his impact as one of the league’s most productive players coming off the bench. His scoring, perimeter shooting and playmaking gave Boston a reliable offensive weapon capable of changing a game in a matter of minutes.

He had become much more than a specialist brought in to knock down open shots. Pritchard could create his own opportunities, push the pace and take responsibility when the Celtics needed an offensive spark.

His development also earned the respect of head coach Joe Mazzulla, who highlighted the guard’s competitiveness and his growing connection with the franchise.

“For a guy to be here with us this long, it is just a true testament of his competitive nature,” Mazzulla said. “I think when people think of a Celtic, he’s one of the guys that first comes to mind. So he’s a great competitor, a great guy.”

It was a significant endorsement from a coach who had watched Pritchard progress from a young rotation player into an established contributor.

The next test, however, would demand even more.

Embracing the Challenge

The 2025–26 season presented Boston with major challenges. Jayson Tatum suffered a season-ending Achilles injury, while Jrue Holiday departed following a trade, leaving important gaps in the team’s rotation.

Pritchard stepped into the opportunity.

He transitioned into a starting role, took on greater responsibility with the ball and demonstrated that his game could extend beyond the sixth-man position he had mastered.

Across the regular season, he averaged 17.0 points, 5.2 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game, making 50 starts.

His increased responsibilities required him to balance scoring with playmaking and provide stability for a team navigating significant changes. He responded with performances that further strengthened his reputation as one of Boston’s most dependable guards.

Pritchard also delivered in the postseason. He scored 32 points in Boston’s Game 4 victory over Philadelphia during the 2026 playoffs, showcasing the offensive ability that had been evident throughout his career.

The Celtics ultimately fell to the Philadelphia 76ers in seven games, ending their championship hopes. But the series offered another reminder of how far Pritchard had progressed.

The undersized guard who once struggled to secure consistent minutes had become a player Boston could trust with a starting role and significant postseason responsibility.

Here to Stay

Boston’s faith in Pritchard remained strong, and in October 2026, the Celtics rewarded him with a two-year, $44.2 million contract extension, further reinforcing his place in the organisation’s plans.

Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens praised the guard’s commitment to improving his game and his importance to the team.

“Payton’s a very good player who has put in the time and added to his game each season that he’s been in Boston,” Stevens said. “On top of that — he’s just a flat-out winner whose toughness, commitment to the team, and work ethic are all elite. We’re thrilled that he’s chosen to extend with the C’s.”

For Pritchard, the extension represented more than financial security. It was recognition of the years spent working to establish himself, the patience required to earn a larger role and the belief he had maintained even when opportunities were scarce.

“It means a lot from, obviously, Brad and the organisation, Bill and all them, to offer that,” Pritchard said. “And so I’m definitely grateful for it and just happy to have signed another two years on it to be in Boston. And I love it here. I like competing for the city and competing for the organisation. And so I feel very honoured.”

With the new season underway, Pritchard has another opportunity to help Boston compete for a championship. The team’s ambitions remain high, and his experience, shooting and versatility will be important as the Celtics pursue further success.

His role may continue to evolve, but his place in Boston’s plans is clear.

A Celtic Built on Confidence

Payton Pritchard’s journey is a story of patience, persistence and an unwavering belief in his own ability.

Selected 26th overall in the 2020 NBA Draft, he entered a talented Celtics roster knowing that opportunities would have to be earned. His size invited questions, his minutes fluctuated and, at one point, his future in Boston appeared uncertain.

But he never allowed those obstacles to define his career.

Instead, he developed into a dependable rotation guard, an NBA champion, the league’s Sixth Man of the Year and a player capable of handling the demands of a starting role. Each step required him to adapt, improve and prove that he could contribute in different ways.

His shooting range and those unforgettable Finals buzzer-beaters helped introduce him to a wider basketball audience. His continued development, however, tells the more compelling story: that of a player who turned limited opportunities into a long-term place among Boston’s most important contributors.

Mazzulla has repeatedly highlighted Pritchard’s toughness, resilience and willingness to do whatever the team needs.

“He just maintains a level of toughness, a level of resilience, but I think a level of open-mindedness to, ‘I’m just going to do whatever needs to be done to get on the floor and impact winning,'” the Celtics coach said.

That mentality has defined Pritchard’s career.

He is no longer simply the undersized guard fighting to prove he belongs. He is a champion, an award winner and an established NBA playmaker who has earned the trust of his teammates, coaches and organisation.

The journey from overlooked prospect to Celtics star was never guaranteed. It was built one practice, one opportunity and one shot at a time.

And after years of proving the doubters wrong, Payton Pritchard has given Boston every reason to believe that his most important chapters may still lie ahead.