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Boston Celtics: Payton Pritchard having historic start to career

By Sam Minton

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics signals during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 01, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 01: Payton Pritchard #11 of the Boston Celtics signals during the first half against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on January 01, 2021 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /
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With his performance on Monday night, Boston Celtics rookie Payton Pritchard is having a truly great start to his NBA career.

Boston Celtics fans were most excited about watching the progression of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown headed into the 2020-21 season, but so far there has been a more interesting story. Payton Pritchard has been making a rather large impact right away for the C’s.

Pritchard has only appeared in eight games, but he has shown that at the minimum he is a quality addition to Boston’s second unit. He is averaging 23.1 minutes a game along with 8.6 points and 3.1 assists a game.

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Pritchard’s best performance came on Monday against the Toronto Raptors. He was on the court for 32 minutes and scored 23 points and dished out eight assists for the C’s.

The fact that Pritchard has been able to do this in less than 10 games has fans excited about how much he can grow in an entire season. He’s even outperformed Aaron Nesmith who was drafted before him by Boston.

But just how good is Pritchard’s performance? Well when you compare him to one of the best shooters in recent NBA history, he had his first 20 point game much faster.

It took Steph Curry 20 games to score 20 points. Pritchard didn’t even need 10 games to accomplish that feat.

Now of course Pritchard isn’t Curry, but he is proving to be just what Boston needs. Pritchard is a shooter who can come into the game and knock down shots in an instinct. The Celtics haven’t had a player who could get hot in an instant since the days of Isaiah Thomas and Eddie House.

The problem is how will Brad Stevens fit Pritchard into the rotation when Boston is healthy. Marcus Smart missed Monday night’s game and Kemba Walker is still recovering as well. When those two return to the lineup they will take up a lot of minutes.

But fans will be hoping that Stevens will continue to utilize Pritchard. If they want him to continue to improve, Pritchard needs his minutes and needs to get his shots up.

Next. Jayson Tatum has that clutch gene in his veins. dark

There’s no denying that Pritchard is having a great start to his NBA career. The question is will he be able to maintain this level of play. If he can, Boston will have selected the steal of the 2020 Draft and could be well on their way to possibly raising another banner in TD Garden.

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