Celtics Guard Payton Pritchard Grabs NBA 6th Man of the Year Award

Boston Celtics' Payton Pritchard has sprinted into the spotlight, clinching his first NBA 6th Man of the Year award with a season that changed the dynamics of bench play.

Pritchard shattered benchmarks as a non-starter, becoming the only player in the league to score over 1,000 points without starting. His record-breaking 3-point shooting and game-altering performances caught the eyes of voters who crowned him the top reserve player of the year.

In a close race, Pritchard edged out contenders like Detroit’s Malik Beasley and Cleveland’s Ty Jerome. The accolade joins a proud Celtics tradition, aligning with the legacies of Kevin McHale, Bill Walton, Malcolm Brogdon, and named after Celtics' icon John Havlicek.

“Payton is a baller,” Celtics President Brad Stevens remarked. “He brings relentless effort, care, and commitment every single day. This award, bearing Havlicek’s name, reflects what Payton contributes to our team.”

Voted on by an international panel of 100 writers and broadcasters, this award initiates the NBA’s awards season. The clutch player and defensive player of the year awards will follow shortly.

Pritchard led all NBA reserves with 1,079 points in non-starting roles, 246 three-pointers, and a league-topping plus-minus of +428. His assists, totaling 257, only rivaled behind benches led by Indiana’s T.J. McConnell and Portland’s Scoot Henderson.

Beloved in Boston, Pritchard is celebrated not just for his stats, but his infectious energy and willingness to take risks, like launching deep 3s at buzzer-beaters. His unforgettable performance on March 5—43 points, 10 rebounds, 10 threes, entirely off the bench—is the stuff of legend.

The Celtics boasted an impressive 61-21 record this season, proving tough to beat particularly when Pritchard was in top form. With Pritchard pouring in points, Boston stood tall at 17-6 when he notched 20 points or more from the bench and 36-12 with 10 points outings.