Payton Pritchard has been turning heads this season for the Celtics, and an ex-NBA player gave the guard his flowers.

The Boston Celtics won the 2023-2024 NBA championship by relying on the 3-point shot. The Celtics led the NBA in 3-point attempts and 3-points shots made while placing second in 3-point shooting percentage.

In order for him to get that honor, he would need to eclipse the case for one of Jrue Holiday or Derrick White, which seems implausible. Or is it?

Celtics point guard Payton Pritchard could see teams not shooting as many 3-pointers, but that doesn't include his squad.

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

Derrick White gave credit to Payton Pritchard, who has become the Sixth Man of the Year favorite. Read more on Boston.com.

But head coach Joe Mazzulla has repeatedly praised Pritchard for how much he’s improved as an on-ball defender. The 26-year-old is on pace to record nearly 80 steals this season, which would double his current career high of 39.

Backup Boston Celtics combo guard Payton Pritchard has become one of the NBA's elite 3-point shooters this season. So far, his offensive transformation as a nearly limitless threat from beyond the arc has transformed the the University of Oregon alum into not only the leading 2025 Sixth Man of the Year candidate,

But Maxey zipped past Pritchard and found a clear lane to the basket, where he put in an off-balance layup just before time expired. The play all but finished off the Celtics in this 118-114 loss, and it was an example of the uncharacteristic missteps that doomed them.

The Celtics fell to the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day with a final score of 118-114. Join the Garden Report crew for more.

The Celtics are riding their first losing streak of the season after losing to the 76ers 118-114 on Christmas Day at TD Garden.