The best player on the Celtics' bench used to play against some of the best players the game has ever seen when he was in high school.

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 the 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%.

Boston Celtics reserve point guard Payton Pritchard has been enjoying a banner year in 2024-25. He's already a leading candidate for Sixth Man of the Year honor

Payton Pritchard is making a push for some NBA awards as his strong start to the season has continued a third into the season.

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.

The Boston Celtics, currently ranked third in the NBA, have established themselves as one of the league’s best teams this season. Despite their success, they have faced heavy criticism for their strategy,