Payton Pritchard is built for Mazzulla Ball. Story by Jacob Issenberg • 3mo. B efore the fourth quarter of the Pistons game, it looked like Payton Pritchard might be coming back to earth.

Payton Pritchard has turned himself into an annoying defender, and that’s good news for the Celtics. ... First, let’s talk about his on-ball defense, especially at the point of attack.

Payton Pritchard was a spark plug in Boston's Game 1 win over the Magic, then earned a finalist nod for Sixth Man of the Year postgame. "Any opportunity that he can to put that ball in the basket ...

NEW YORK – With five seconds remaining in the first quarter of Saturday’s Game 3 at Madison Square Garden, Payton Pritchard received the ball deep in the backcourt and took off.

Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard, left, drives to the basket against Charlotte Hornets guard Wendell Moore Jr. (9) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 11, 2025, in ...

NEW YORK — Two years ago, Payton Pritchard studied the stars on the opposite side while the Celtics were on their way to the Eastern Conference finals. Pritchard took mental notes of how Trae ...

Pritchard, averaging 15.6 points per game this season, doesn’t just want the ball. He has turned himself into enough of a force that his most established teammates, including Tatum and Jaylen ...

Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard plays against the Brooklyn Nets during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2024, ... “I want to be a ball player.

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) hangs onto the ball as Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) tries for a steal during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 4, 2025, in ...

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal (3) hangs onto the ball as Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) tries for a steal during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, April 4, 2025, in ...