Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard handles the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
In a season full of highlights and dominance from the Boston Celtics, one of the league’s most consistent sparks off the bench just earned some well-deserved recognition. Celtics guard Payton Pritchard has officially been named the 2025 NBA Sixth Man of the Year, becoming the fifth player in franchise history to take home the honor.
And he earned it in style.
Pritchard was the only player in the entire league to score over 1,000 points in games he didn’t start, finishing with 1,079 points, 246 made threes, and a +428 plus-minus off the bench. That three-point mark is an NBA record for bench players in a single season — a testament to his elite shooting and fearless shot selection.
What makes this even more poetic? The award is named after Celtics legend John Havlicek — one of the game’s greatest sixth men and a pioneer of the role. Fittingly, Pritchard now adds his name to a Celtics list that includes Kevin McHale (1984, 1985), Bill Walton (1986), and Malcolm Brogdon (2023).
“Payton is a baller — and his teammates know what they are getting every single day in terms of effort, care, and commitment,” Celtics president Brad Stevens said in a statement.
This season, Pritchard brought unmatched energy to the second unit and consistently shifted the momentum of games. He ranked third in assists among reserves (257), behind only Indiana’s T.J. McConnell and Portland’s Scoot Henderson. Boston also went 17-6 when Pritchard scored 20+ off the bench and 36-12 when he dropped at least 10. In short: when he cooked, the Celtics were nearly unbeatable.
Fans also won’t forget one of the wildest “non-official” triple-doubles in NBA history — a 43-point, 10-rebound, 10-three-pointer explosion off the bench on March 5. It technically didn’t count as a triple-double due to no assists, but it was easily one of the most unforgettable nights of the NBA season.
The 2025 Celtics finished with a 61-21 record, the best in the league, and Pritchard’s contribution was pivotal throughout. Whether it was a clutch shot, a hustle play, or a deep three at the buzzer, Payton gave Boston everything they needed — and now he’s got the hardware to prove it.
