The Boston Celtics are currently 20-5 and rank second in the NBA. A lot of which is because of Payton Pritchard and the consistency with his work this season.

Pritchard is averaging 16.5 points per game on 49/43/84 shooting splits in 28.4 minutes off the bench this season.

He’s scored at least 20 points in six out of the last eight games, he’s the leader in total bench points (413) and 3-pointers made (96), and is the frontrunner to win Sixth Man of the Year.

Pritchard leveled up his game on both ends of the court in multiple ways since winning the championship last season. He hasn’t missed a game yet this season and is very important to the Celtics success.

He also became the first player in franchise history to record a game of 25+ points with five made 3-pointers, and 10+ assists off the bench in the last game against the Detroit Pistons.

Here are other notes from Boston:

• Sam Hauser missed the last game with a right adductor strain, but he was moving well and shooting at practice. He’s missed games this season with back soreness and now an adductor strain. He’s an essential piece for Boston, it’s important that he gets healthy as the season goes on.
• Jayson Tatum missed his first game of the season with right knee tendinopathy. He practiced the other day and Joe Mazzulla said he’s progressing in the right direction, along with Hauser.
• Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 20.3 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 1.8 assists in the six games he’s played since he returned from injury. He said that he feels close to being back and it’ll only be “a couple of more games” until he’s back to normal.
• Bob Cousy received his championship ring after the Celtics raised Banner 18 to the rafters. Cousy is proud of the players for winning it all, but he’s also proud of the franchise and the continued success they have.
• Al Horford will miss the next game on Sunday in Washington for a scheduled rest day, per the Celtics.

The Celtics play on Sunday at 6:00 PM in Washington.

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Photo Credit: Brian Babineau, NBAE Getty Images